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Jaaacpy. [(134.
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gteverj^-j lf7^tilnte-:-of v^ea^nokfy
TH!E
j@rSei/e^„s THdi(iil©R
Vol. X.
HOBOKEN, N. J., J/ NUARY 15, 1884.
No. I.
5Fhe Sfeevei^s IM'm^tm.
rCBLlSHBli ON THB
Wh OF EACH MONTH, DURING THE COLLEGE YEAR.
BY THE STUDENTS OF
^teVBD^ In^titate of Tec^nologj.
EoitoK'In-Chisf C. W. WHITINO, '84.
BusiNBSs Editor R. H. RICE, '85.
Exchange Editor, CD. BOYNTON, '85.
2.otaI £)iCtor8.
A. P. KLETZSCH, '84.
B. P. MOWTON, '86. C. R. COLLINS. '86.
LADD PLUMLBY, '87.
♦ »
TERMS :^01.60 per Yetr, in Advance. Single Copy. 20 Cents.
Wmler^ M Hi^*tm P*M t^tr «• Bn»md na*a tMhrr.
Smbscriptions taken by the husittess manager^ who will
forward tht paper to any address^ prepaid^ on receipt of
price,
£xtra copies can be obtained at Luthins bot^k store^
Hefhoken, N, J.
Tht paper iviil be sent regularly to subscribers until
etrdered to be discontinued.
Subscribers will please immediately notify us of any
ckaHPt in their address or failure to receive the paper
rt^utariy.
Professors^ alumni^ undergraduates^ and friends^ are
invited to contribute literacy articUs^ itcms^ verses^ dis-
cussions of current topics^ and personal notes.
It is particularly desired that Alumni furnish us with
all items of interest concerning themselves and every one
xvko has been connected with the Institute.
It is expected that all articles shall be written in a
courteous tone.
The writer s full name, as well as his NOM DE pllmk,
fuust accompany the article^ as assurance of }^ood faith
and reliability \ but it will not be published^ unless desired.
The editors do not necessarily endotse sentiments ex-
pressed except in the editorial and exchange columns.
Publishers ate invited to send us books and magazines
for notice or rrz'iew.
Exchanges, contributions^ subset iptions, adveiiisemcnts.
and ail other communications hymail, should be addressed
to The Stevens Indicator, Stevens Institute, I/oboken,
isr,j.
A li persons wishing to secure the business patronage of
students and alumni, will find it to their advantage to
send for our advertising rates.
TTTHE initial number of The Stevens Indi-
' 1^ CATOR, which we herewith present to our
readers, requires but a few words of introduc-
tion.
The Institute enjoys, at present, a period of
unusual prosperity; it has now achieved a
truly national reputation, and is recognized,/^r
excellence^ as the leading school of its class — the
result of a decade of unremitting labor on the
part of those to whom the management of its
affairs were so fortunately intrusted. The at-
tendance is larger than at any previous period,
and, from present indications, promises to re-
main so for some time to come.
During a number of years past Stevens has
had most of the features which go to make up
modern college life; it has long had its socie-
ties and clubs, and baseball, football, and
other athletic sports have been developed to a
certain extent. Our annual, llie Eccentric^
has long been recognized as one of our per-
manent institutions; but we have been com-
pelled to forego the luxury and convenience
of a monthly college paper, which constitutes
so essential a factor in the undergraduate life
at most of our important colleges. It was
evident to many for several years past that
Stevens was sorely in need of such a paper;
some medium was wanted to express the cur-
rent sentiments of the students upon matters
connected with the curriculum and discipline
of the Institute; some means of bringing the
various athletic and other interests more
prominently to the notice of the college
world, and of correcting erroneous impres-
sions which occasionally go abroad. The In-
stitute has a constantly and rapidly growing
list of alumni who now hear and see but little
of the progress of their ahna mater, and whose
interest is rapidly cutting adrift from the as-
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
sociations of their college days. A profes-
sional school like ours, whose reputation so
largely depends upon the manner in which its
graduates endorse its methods, cannot afford
to allow them to become wholly disinterested
in its work. Again, the friends of Stevens
constitute a community which is more or less
directly interested in all that occurs at the In-
stitute— an interest which is certainly worth
cultivating.
The time, then, has long been ripe for just
such a paper as we now take pleasure in pre-
senting to the community in which we live;
and we trust that, to all who have the interest
of Stevens at heart, The Indicator will at all
times prove a welcome visitor.
There can be but one opinion, however, as
to the conditions under which such a paper
can be made a success; it must have the cor-
dial support, both financial and literary,
which Stevens and its friends can aflford. We
are not deceiving ourselves as to the difficulties
which will arise and possibly thwart its suc-
cess; we fully realize, on the other hand, that
there must be no chance for failure, because,
if the paper does not succeed now, it may be
years before another attempt will be made.
We know that a paper like this requires an ^
expenditure of time and labor which we can
ill afford to give; our legitimate college duties,
already arduous, are constantly growing from
year to year, and leave but little time for out-
side issues of this kind; yet we are willing to
devote to it much time which would otherwise
be devoted to recreation, trusting that all who
can will bear with us in the work.
We do not hope to revolutionize the destiny
of Stevens; but we are free to confess that we
look for some good results to our alvia mater
from our journal. The Indicator will surely
reach, among others, a class of readers which,
for several years past, has become quite a source
of supply for our upper classes, and which
the authorities have always and very wisely
encouraged. We refer to those graduates and
upper classmen from classical and other col-
leges, who come to Stevens for a post-graduate
course. To them The Indicator will be the
means of affording an insight to the condition
of affairs as they actually exist, and which
even by reading between the lines of the An-
nual Catalogues or Announcements they could
not discern. Everybody who has had any
experience at all, places little reliance in the
statements of college catalogues, and we know
that our own comes in for a share in the
general prejudice with which literature of that
class has come to be regarded.
To those, as well as to new men about to
enter as Freshmen, a perusal of The Indica-
tor will prove a valued means of estimating
the real merits of Stevens; and we shall in-
deed be greatly mistaken if The Indicator
will not bring many such men to our halls, for
by the system of exchanges, it will doubtless
find its way into every important college in
the land.
We hope that our readers may be lenient
enough to overlook any defects which may be-
come apparent in this, our initial number. We
have yet to acquire experience and judgment
in journalism; when we have that, we shall
hope to have molded The Indicator in ac-
cordance with the needs and wishes of the
community for whose benefit it has been de-
signed.
« ^ » *
P^OW that the football season has ended, and
A [^ Stevens has shown her mettle by taking
the first place after Yale, Princeton and
Harvard, we have a long rest until the middle
of April, when the baseball season will begin.
In the meantime, we are very much crippled by
having no gymnasium, and for this very rea-
son we should make a more strenuous effort to
keep our place in the college arena. In base-
ball we shall doubtless be able to do some-
thing; but it should be remembered that for
two years Stevens has not been represented in
the Intercollegiate athletic games. If we are
not represented this year, we lose our member-
ship. This must not happen. We must be
represented; and, to be able to select the men
to enter we must have a Spring Athletic
''^mmmmmm
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
Meeting, among ourselves, about the latter
part of April. We have plenty of men to pick
from and make a fair show, if some one or two
will push the thing ahead. " We " will try
and interest all by keeping the subject well
ventilated before them, in our editorial columns
and elsewhere. Let us remember that all the
colleges of any importance have their Field
Days. Enough gate money will be taken to
pay for medals for each event; and thus an
object can be placed before the contestants.
Don't let Stevens be eclipsed, but make her
shine even more brightly than the rest.
*^ » »
TT7HE Afichigan Chronicle makes the score of
1 the game between their football team and
ours 17 to 5 in their favor. In another column
they publish a letter from Stevens placing the
score at 5 to I in favor of Stevens. After
commenting on the incorrectness of the score
in the said letter, in their editorial columns,
they remark that " in accordance with the
final decision of the referees, we were beaten
in every game played." Consistency seems to
be a rare jewel with the Chronicle. We would
refer them to " Football Records of American
Teams,'* by Walter Chauncey Camp, where
they will find official record of the above game,
with a score of 5 to i in favor of Stevens.
» # » *
0N Thanksgiving Day the Stevens Institute
foot-ball team closed one of the most
successful seasons of foot-ball that have crown-
ed their efforts since the introduction of the
revised Rugby game.
Before 1876, the foot-ball matches of the
different colleges were governed by the Amer-
ican Association rules, which allowed no run-
ning with or passing of the ball, and no tack-
ling whatever. While governed by these rules
the Stevens team had not only played good
matches, but succeeded in downing several of
her strongest opponents.
With 1876 came the change by which the
more exciting Rugby game of foot-ball was
substituted for the American game ; and in the
year following it had been adopted by nearly
all the colleges playing foot-ball. But the old
success was gone. Stevens no more succeeded
in piling up scores on her rivals, and, from
year to year, the foot-ball matches at the cricket
grounds lost their interest, so that it became
almost an impossibility to put an eleven in the
field. Then came the disastrous seasons of '80
and '81. In the latter year, our weakest op-
ponent for many seasons succeeded in tieing us.
The foot-ball team that season was com-
pletely demoralized, and the college support
had dwindled down next to nothing. The re-
mark, that to play another game would only
add another defeat to our already long list,
was frequently heard. Stevens had good men
in those days, better athletes, stronger and
larger than at present, and the advantage of a
good gymnasium, which we never missed more
than during the season just closed. Faults
were everywhere, the captain complaining of
the team, the team of the students, the stu-
dents of the faculty, and the faculty especially
of the team.
The members of the Athletic Association,
after having elected the foot-ball captain ac-
cording to the bad system by which he is now
chosen, thought their work done. From the
Board of Directors he received little or no sup-
port, and from the faculty still less, until the
life of foot-ball at Stevens Institute was nearly
extinct. However, what use of complaining.
Useful suggestions and restoratives were
promptly applied, and with the aid of '82 's
season and of class captains of '84 and '85,
life again manifested itself with renewed vigor;
placing the college team upon that successful
footing with which the season of '2>2i has
closed. The season of 1882, as for college
matches, might have proved a more successful
one had more games been played. The cap-
tain must have lost all faith in his team, other-
wise he could not have suffered such good
ability and material to lie inert.
It again looked gloomy for the season of
1883 by the loss of four players, instead of one,
as was first expected; but the majority of those
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
remaining were bound to wipe out the defeat
which under unfair circumstances had been
administered to them the year before. Ac-
cordingly, the players went to work with a will,
began practicing early, being two weeks ahead
of any other college, and on the 29th of Sep-
tember played the first match. The players,
however, were not in a fit condition to tackle
stronger colleges, owing to the want of gym-
nasium practice. The Board of Directors,
under the circumstances, prescribed the best
in their power, requiring each member to con-
form with a course of training, which, if strictly
adhered to, would certainly have proved still
more beneficial.
On October 6, we played Yale at New Ha-
ven; during the first 20 minutes of the game
she did not score on us. Unfortunately for
us, our captain and another player were dis-
abled in the middle of the first half ; still the
team succeeded in playing, during that time,
one of the best games which has been played
with Yale during the present season. In the
second half the team, without any one to en-
courage them, played loosely for a time, and,
aided by these circumstances, Yale succeeded
in making the greater number of the 48 points,
and nearly one half the points scored against us
this season. A second game with Yale was
unwisely declined. It was solely the match
with her team that made our team. What we
afterwards gained was through the hard and
persevering work of our players, and we showed
our gratitude to Yale at her two closing
matches on the Polo grounds.
Stevens* first game with Harvard was next
played at home, and we succeeded in scoring
two touchdowns against Harvard's three, two
of theirs yielding goals. Though this game
was played in a drizzling rain, it was pro-
nounced by the spectators as one of the finest
foot-ball matches ever witnessed. Their gen-
tlemanly conduct during the entire play was
warmly commended, both by spectators and
players.
October 24, we played Princeton for the first
time, on our own grounds. Aided by the wind
and referee, she succeeded in scoring two field
goals and one touchdown in the first half. In
the second half the wind had nearly died out,
and with the sun in the eyes of the home team,
we fought gamely. Princeton succeeded, and
allowed by the referee, in making an unfair
touchdown in this half, by taking the ball from
one of our half backs as he was about to make
a safety. Yale's rough playing was nowhere
compared with the roughness and meanness of
this game. The N. Y. World of October 25
only partly describes it in the following article :
" The Princeton men played with the great-
est roughness, and throughout the game took
advantage of their superior weight to knock
their antagonists about most unmercifully.'*
October 27, we played Columbia, and de-
feated her in a love game of 19 to o. For their
defeat a poor excuse of having seven substi-
tutes on the team was given; but we after-
wards noticed eight of the same eleven playing
against the University of Pennsylvania and Yale.
Next on our list came Lafayette College, at
Easton, Pa., Nov. 3d. Two of our men were
unable to play in this match, and our regular
substitutes had withdrawn from foot-ball a few
days before. We went with the expectation of
being beaten, but succeeded in defeating the
Lafayette men by a score of 14 to 4. It was
in this game that one of our half backs made
one of the longest drop-kicks on record. We
were no little surprised at the ignorance dis-
played by the referee of some of the rules,
especially as regards off-side.
November 6, we journeyed to Cambridge to
play our return match with Harvard. A strong
wind blew diagonally across the field, and
though we were aided by it, but worn out by the
long ride, Harvard, in the first half, succeeded
in scoring nine points to our two. In the sec-
ond half the wind was against us, and as
usual our team played a better and stronger
game. Harvard only added two more points
to her nine, and acknowledged, though aided
by the wind, that she was outplayed in the last
three quarters; the final score being 11 to 2 in
Harvard's favor
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
November 20, we played Seton Hall. It
was a one sided and uninteresting game, the
final score being 60 to o in favor of Stevens.
November 24, Lafayette played her return
game with our team, on the Cricket Grounds.
The ground was wet and very slippery, and
good plays were at a premium. In all, Stevens
made four touchdowns, of which but one
yielded a goal, Lafayette scoring a touchdown
from which a goal was kicked, and a beautiful
drop-kick from the field giving her a second
goal, the final score being 14 to 11 in
our favor. The last two matches were played
with the. University teams of Michigan and
Pennsylvania, respectively, and are described
at length in another column. With the latter
game the season closed. As regards success
and standing, we refer to our record in com-
parison with those of other colleges, which
justly entitles us to first place amongst the
non-association teams, which position has been
assigned to us in the Foot-Ball Records of
American Teams.
Let us hope that the success which we have
attained is but a start toward the position
which Stevens will hold amongst other Amer-
can colleges.
« # » »
INCE there is always a great deal of cheer-
ing done when foot-ball is played, this
may be the right place to call the students* atten-
tion to the fact that we are anxiously waiting
for some enterprising genius to propose a new
cheer; it would be well received if it is good.
Let it have some mouth filling and terror in-
spiring vowels and consonants in it, 0*s, R*s,
U's, etc. Every political house or one-horse
chowder club has adopted the fashion of spell-
ing out its name, and it is time that our old
cheer should be dropped.
• ^ » >
Prof. { Hearing a recitation in physics):
" Mr. Blank, what is absolute zero ?"
Mr. Blank : "Not prepared."
Prof. {Suiting the action to the word):
"Correct."
WHEN the Board of Editors of The Indi-
cator organized and started on the
several duties which devolved upon them, it
became evident that it would be impossible
to edit a monthly paper and look after the
property of the same, in a manner at all re-
sembling business, without some kind of an
office or editorial sanctum. There being no
unoccupied space in the college building which
could be used for that purpose, it was decided
to look among the boarding houses for a room.
This proved unsuccessful ; and, as a last re-
sort, we asked Prof. Carr to let us use part of
his office. He consented willingly, allowing us
all the privileges that we could desire; and we
take this opportunity to thank him heartily for
his kindness. President Morton also showed
us a great deal of kindness in fitting up our
quarters for us.
SKATING WITH THE GIRLS.
Come girls, get on your jockey hats,
Dress in your skating suits,
Be sure to lace up snugly
Your pretty little boots ;
And we will all go skating.
For the ice is clear and bright,
The moon will soon be up, my dears,
We'll have a lovely night.
Then soon we're off, a little hand
Tucked snugly 'neath each arm,
While all the boys are making love.
And keeping darlings warm.
Oh ! don't you think it's jolly
Mixing up one's self with curls.
And going off on moonlight nights
Skating with the girls ?
But when it comes to putting on —
Lord, love us ! ain't it nice —
To hold the darling's little foot
You have to be precise,
Or the skate won't fit so snugly ;
So with many twists and twirls,
How long it takes in putting on
The skates of pretty girls.
The foot's so small, so very trim.
The boot so high and neat ;
Perhaps a glimpse of stockings then
May cause your heart to beat.
It takes so long to put on skates
Of pretty ones with curls ;
And yet we wish we always could
Go skating with the girls.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
STEVENS* FOOT BALL RECORD FOR
1883.
Stevens' record for this fall will be long re-
membered as one of the most — if not the
most — successful season's work since the game
began to be played by our students. When
it is taken into consideration that our total
number is about one hundred and fifty, and
that the team must be chosen from this small
number, the record of games won is some-
thing to be proud of. We think that if the
chosen men could have some place for indoor
exercise on stormy days, the pleasing record
of this season's work could be repeated next
fall ; even although we lose four or five very
good men next June. The management of the
team this year has been all that could be de-
sired, and showed a decision which was very
beautiful in its effect.
The team was notified early in the fall,
what was expected of them, and what restric-
tions were placed on their diet and other
incidental pleasures ; and nobody can deny
that the physical condition of the team was
better than ever before. This indiscriminate
smoking, and eating greasy stuffs and pastry
must become a thing of the past, now that its
evil effects have become so plainly apparent.
The faults of the team cannot be passed over.
The most grievous of these, and certainly the
most hurtful to the reputation of Stevens, is
the bad taste of all trying to talk at once when a
disputed point comes up. They, certainly
would not do so in a ladies* parlor, and why
should they do in a foot-ball field, what they
would all consider disgraceful anywhere else 1
Unfortunately for us, this fault has been gen-
erally noticed, and detracts from our other-
wise good reputation. Let us turn over a
new leaf, and next year put the quietest team
of all in the field ; it will help us in every
way.
The new system of counting by points is to
be commended in every way, for it not only
helps to prevent ties, but it gives the unini-
tiated an idea of who won ; because he can
see by the score, who has the greater number
of points.
Summary. Score by
points.
Sept. 29. Brooklyn Polytechnic vs. Stevens. . . o 59
Oct. 6. Yale vs. Stevens 48 o
** 20. Harvard vs. Stevens 14 4
" 24. Princeton vs. Stevens 14 o
" 27. Columbia vs. Stevens o 19
Nov. 3. Lafayette vs. Stevens 4 14
" 6. Harvard vs. Stevens 11 2
Nov. 20. Selon Hall vs. Stevens o 60
" 24. Lafayette vs. Stevens 11 14
" 27. University of Michigan vs. Stevens. . i 5
'* 29. University of Pennsylvania vs. Stev-
ens 6 6
Games won by Stevens 6
Games lost by Stevens 4
Tie games i
Total of points gained 183
Total of points lost loc}
Points gained, over points lost 74
<^ » »
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN vs. STEVENS.
HOBOKEN, Nov, 27, 1883.
The game between the team from Michigan
and the home team was well played, and
showed very plainly what Stevens can do if
she tries. The Michigan team was decidedly
heavier than the Stevens eleven, and to an
outsider appeared to have a decided advan-
tage in point of size and weight. During the
game, the Michigan men proved themselves re-
markable runners, beating our men, with one
or two notable exceptions, every time the
occasion demanded a race, and if the visiting
team had possessed a better knowledge of the
game, the score might have been different,
although it is but fair to suppose that if our
team had been pressed harder, they would
have worked harder. The weather was all
that could be desired, a little windy, perhaps,
but then the boys work better when it is a
trifle cold.
The game was called at 3.1 1 p. m., Stevens
losing the toss, having to play the first half
against the wind, and Michigan, what little sun
now and then flashed out from under the
clouds in the south-west.
Bush put the ball in play by dribbling it
and passing it to Cotiart, who tried to run
with it, but was stopped before he had run
twenty feet; then followed a succession of
downs very close together, but yet sufficiently
far apart to allow Stevens to retain the ball in
her possession. Jones soon had the ball, and
made a magnificent run toward the opponents*
goal, but in the next down it was brought
dangerously near our home, Kletzsch stopping
the Michigander by a beautiful tackle, turn-
ing the holder of the ball around about
three times, and finally seating him on the
ground conveniently near, so that in case he
desired to run or to pass the ball, he could
be stopped. The visitor had, however, no
such desire, and yelled "down." Then fol-
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
lowed three downs for Michigan, which gave
the ball to Stevens. In the next scrimmage,
through some unexplained fact, one of the
opposing team kicked the ball, and sent it flying
over our goal line. Away rushed both teams
for the ball, but Michigan got there first and
held the ball. Immediately there was a long
discussion as to whether it counted a safety
for Stevens or a touch down for Michigan.
Finally, the referee, a Mr. Hildreth, from C.
C, N. Y., decided that it was a touch in goal,
although he afterwards, in the second half,
changed his decision, and decided that it was
a safety for Stevens.
The ball was then kicked from the 25 -yard
line by Bush, and stopped by one of the
Michigan team, who tried a goal from the
field. The ball went flying over the bar
and betw^een the posts, but the kicker having
neglected to allow the ball to touch the ground
before kicking it, it had to count as a " punt "
only, although it was a very good attempt.
The ball was again put in play from the 25-
yard line. Michigan got the ball, but after a
few very bad fumbles, it passed into the hands
of the home team, and then Wurts started on
one of his famous runs, gaining sixty odd feet
and then passing the ball to Cotiart, who car-
ried it still further into the opponents' end of
the field. During the game Jones made some
splendid kicks. Time was then called, and
ended the first half.
The second half was started by Michigan
adopting our tactics and dribbling the ball.
Wurts got possession of the ball, and by one
of his splendid and telling kicks sent it far to-
ward the Michigan goal. By a dint of mag-
nificent tackling and running Stevens got the
ball close to Michigan's goal, and then, by
watching his opportunity, Wurts kicked a goal
from the field. Jones caught the ball when it
was kicked out by Michigan, and tried for a
goal, but missed. The ball was then worked
by Michigan well down toward our goal.
Wurts captured the ball and ran with it,
ahnost crossing the boundary line before he
kicked it, sending it flying toward Michigan's
goal, but as the referee decided that he went
outside, it had to be brought back and played
over again from the line. After this, iDad
fumbling on both sides was the order of the
day. During the scrimmage that followed,
both Torrance and Jones did some remarkable
tackling and running, frequently arriving just
m time to prevent a great gain by the visiting
team. Several times during the game a great
big Michigan der would reach over the strug-
gling lines and catch hold of Baldwin '&*wrist
just as he tried to pass the ball to our half
backs, thereby compelling us to lose ground.
Cotiart distinguished himself in this half by
his good tackling and general promptitude in
" getting there " just in time. The ball was at
this time about midway in the field on one
side, and during a scrimmage a Michigan man
got possession of the ball, and carried it over
our goal line, the Stevens team making no at-
tempt to stop him — as the referee declared it
was a foul — and stood still, waiting for the
referee to call the ball back. For a while,
however, he seemed to have no such idea, and
it was only after some time had been lost, and
lots of arguments for and against it had been
made, that he called back the ball to be
played from where the Michigan man had
picked it up. Meanwhile, noticing that the
two Michigan men who had the ball were
doing some very funny gymnastics with it, one
of the students of Stevens went down to see
what they were doing, and on asking the ques-
tion, was told that they were " making touch
downs." Time was then called, and the game
decided for Stevens — 5 to i.
Michigan — Goals, o; touch downs, o; safe-
ties, o.
Stevens— I goal from field ; touch downs,
o; safeties, o.
Teams.
University of Michigan.
Rushers.
Allcott, Capt.
Beach.
Beach, E. E.
BiTNER.
KiLULEA.
Wright.
Prettyman.
Moore, Half Back
Gemmel, Half Back.
McNiEL, Quarter Back
Gilmore, Full Back.
Umpire.
H. S. Mahon.
Referee — Mr.
Stevens.
Rushers.
Kletzsch, Capt.
Cotiart.
BURHORN.
Bush.
DiLWORTH.
Torrance.
Williams.
Wltrts. Half Back.
Jones. Half Back.
Baldwin, Quarter Back.
Campbell, Full Back.
Umpire,
E. MuNKwrrz
HlLDRETH, C. C, N. V.
"♦♦♦-
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA vs.
STEVENS.
HoBOKEN, Noiy. 29, 1883.
The game between the above-named teams
was one of decided interest, both because it
was our last game this season and on account
of its being the closest game Stevens has
played this fall. As always seems to be the
8
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
case, the opposing team appeared to have the
advantage in weight. The day was perfect for
the game, although the ground was rather
slippery and apt to be treacherous to the
players.
Game called 10.50 a. m., after deciding to
play half-hours instead of three-quarters.
Stevens won the toss, taking the wind,
which was blowing rather briskly.
Pennsylvania put the ball in play by drib-
bling it and passing it to the right end rush,
who carried it almost across our goal line.
After the next down Jones made a beautiful
run, carrying the ball well into the centre of
the field. In the next scrimmage Wurts was
deliberately and maliciously run into, and his
ankle hurt. We say deliberately, because
Beck, of Pennsylvania's team, was overheard
to say, " We must injure these half-backs if we
want to win this game." However, Wurts was
not hurt enough to prevent his playing. Jones
then tried for a free catch, but was interfered
with. The referee, however, gave Jones the
right to a free kick. Baldwin now commenced
to show up to good advantage, kicking re-
markably well. In fact, for the next ten min-
utes Stevens did some very good running,
and tackling to such good effect that Bush
soon scored a touch-down which yielded a
goal. This touch-down, and the manner in
which it was made, was one of the main fea-
tures of the game. Cotiart and Torrance both
did very good work in getting the ball over
our adversary's goal line.
After this the ball stayed very close to
Stevens' goal ; in fact, so close, that after
three successive downs, Pennsylvania had not
advanced or lost enough ground to retain the
ball, and therefore it passed into our hands.
Baldwin kicked the ball, after allowing it to
pass over a third man's foot. After a short
tussle Wurts got the ball and made a good run
well up to Pennsylvania's goal, and then
kicked it further, so that for a short time the
contest was almost on top of our opponents'
goal line.
Shortly after, while running to get the ball,
which had been kicked outside by Pennsyl-
vania, Bush was interfered with and pushed
aside, thereby causing him to fall and injure
himself, so that he had to withdraw, Burhorn
going on as a substitute, and Dilworth playing
the downs. Immediately after the next down
Jones had an opportunity for a free kick,
and sent the ball flying toward our oppo-
nents' goal, but which was caught by one of
the visiting team, who in turn had a free kick.
Then followed a touch in goal for Pennsyl-
vania. The ball was kicked out by Kletzsch.
Cotiart followed up the ball by one of his
runs, and supplemented it by a tackle which
brought the holder of the ball down in a lively
manner.
In the next scrimmage a man was hurt on
the Pennsylvania team. Pennsylvania got
the ball, and having a clear field, with the ex-
ception of Maury, it seemed for a moment that
a touch down, and possibly a goal, would be
scored ; but Maury saved us this by bringing
the man down in a manner more forcible than
was consistent with gracefulness. This placed
the ball about thirty feet from our goal, and in
the next tussle, by a series of good passing
and kicking, and also by an act of the grossest
interference, our visitors succeeded in making
a touch-down, which yielded a goal. Kletzsch
succeeded in getting the ball almost immedi-
ately after it was kicked out, and started on
one of his telling runs, bringing the ball well
up to Pennsylvania's goal. For the next few
minutes the fight was sharp and strong, but
with the evident advantage on Stevens' side.
Time was then called, and this ended the
first half.
In the second half Baldwin put the ball in
play by dribbling and passing it to Jones, who
kicked it far down the field. Pennsylvania
then got possession of the ball, working it well
up to our goal. However, it was soon brought
back, and our visitors began to lose ground,
although working hard. In the next few min-
utes both Wurts and Jones made splendid
free kicks. Bad fumbling then seemed to be
the order of the day for Pennsylvania. As
may be imagined. Beck, of Pennsylvania, who
used to attend Yale, lost no opportunity to
carry out the idea that he had expressed to
his associates, namely, that of injuring our
half backs, and at the first opportunity threw
himself on Wurts while he (Wurts) was lying
prostrate on the ground, although Wurts had
called " down " quite some time before Beck
came up to him. For the first time since he
had been playing with Stevens, Wurts got
angry, and gave Beck some merited punish-
ment. Then followed, in rapid succes-
sion, two free kicks by Wurts, and a most
magnificent run and tackle by Kletzsch,
who now began to make up for some bad
play he had made in the early part of the
game. After the next down, Torrance came
to the front by catching and bringing down
his man in his usual prompt and effect-
ive way. Seeing the necessity for harder work,
THE S TE YENS INDICA TOR.
if they wanted to win, Pennsylvania now did
her level best, but was met by just as deter-
mined a resistance as the effort they had put
forth, so that nothing was gained or lost, only
the position of the players would change from
first one end of the field to the other. Finally,
Pennsylvania made a foul pass, which put the
ball in Stevens' hands, and from that moment
our boys commenced to do better work, gain-
ing considerably on their opponents, and forc-
ing the ball dangerously near to their goal.
Before any good could come of this hard work
— for it was hard work — time was called, thus
leaving the game a tie, which was not played
off.
Teams :
University of Pennsylvania.
Rushers.
Gray, Capt.
Bell.
Price.
Sargent.
Thompson
Beck.
Harvey.
Mack, Half Back.
Thayer, Half Back.
Stevens.
Rushers.
KLErzscH, '84, Capt.
McCoy, '85.
Cotiart, '86.
Bush. '84.
Torrance, '84.
Dilworth, '85.
Williams, '85.
Jones. '86, Half Back.
WuRTS, '84, Half Back.
Lindsey, Quarter Back. Baldwin,'85, Quarter Back.
Noble, Full Back. Maury, '84, Full Back.
Umpire.
T. L. Montgomery.
Umpire.
E. Munkwitz.
Referee— Vi. W. Harry.
« # » »
NEW AND OLD.
What is the glory of the former ages,
Or those to come, contrasted with to-day ?
Is it the dale of Shakespeare's many pages.
Or is there genius hidden in each lay,
That makes renown for him? Which, living yet,
Shines oat so bright, we present worth forget.
Two men once quarreled. They were rather young,
And quickly raised and somewhat sharp of tongue;
But their dispute of such a nature was
That you will smile ; they differed just because
One had a coat of relative deceased.
And with this garment he was highly pleased,
For to it wondrous stories were attached.
And he declared its fame could n^t be matched.
His neighbor had a jacket new and trim,
Whose cut and fit had much delighted him,
And he had seen the other coat and smiled.
His friend at this would not be reconciled.
But tried to prove that history sur[>assed
All recent manufactures. So at last
They did agree to court decision wide,
And by this better judgment to abide.
A wise old man dwelt rather near them, so
Unto his house they did next morning go.
They laid their cause before him ; anger led
To bitter words, and thus the lirst one said :
'• I own a garment which I cherish much,
Because it holds some value. It is such
An ancient thing, and is with stories rife,
Left me by one of long extended life."
The other one commenced to argue, too,
And said, *' My coat is better ; it is new."
Then spoke the sage, ** My children cease dispute,
Old things may one and not another suit.
You cannot dress to please the varied mind.
So each, his own taste suited, then may Bnd
Each his own loser ; for the wise have told
Some like the new, while some prefer the old."
Learn from this tale that time gotte by is great,
What \%yet here its issue we must wait ;
And though to-day may much of genius show,
" Little is known of what there is to know ;"
And that each act of goud or ill will make
Links in a chain, which we can never break.
And I.NDICATOR may you now appear,
To public eyes, before this Senior year
Has closed forever — may you welcome find
With college men, and with the college mind.
Though Shakespeare cannot write a life for you.
You may be much esteemed, if vtry new.
May Wisdom bear her brilliant torch before,
To light your pages much, the public more.
SHALL THE REPUTATION OF STEVENS
INCREASE OR DECREASE?
With the greatest sorrow, we notice in the
addenda to the last catalogue this statement:
" The entering or freshman class of next year
will be limited to fifty students, who will be
selected by the faculty after examination,
from the entire number of applicants, on the
ground of superior fitness and promise of de-
velopment."
We know not upon which body the respon-
sibility of this rule rests, whether trustees or
faculty, or both; and, if allowed to express our
own sentiments, we should judge that some
have been unduly hasty in the consideration
of this most important matter. In such a
question as this, which vitally concerns the
welfare and reputation of each alumnus, should
not their opinions at least have a particle of
weight ?
There is nothing incompatible whatever in
having large numbers, and, at the same time,
the very best quality and the highest require-
lO
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
ments. The fact is, that all the celebrated uni-
versities of the world, have the highest requis-
itions and standards, and are always filled with
vast numbers of students of the first quality.
Why, then, is it necessary to cripple the grow-
ing influence of our Institution, which is
clearly manifested by the appearance of large
numbers of freshmen ? The raising of the re-
quirements was also intended to effect a re-
duction in numbers, but to the contrary it is
always seen to effect an increase. We would
by no means advocate a reduction in the re-
quired studies, let them be further raised.
But " where are these multitudes of new
students which you advise to be put ? " some
one suggests, " The Institute is now filled to
its utmost capacity." Let us see : you say
specially, that " the drawing-room facilities are
inadequate." There are more than a hun-
dred tables — these, therefore, accommodating
a hundred students ; and, if each table is
then supplied with two boards, as one-half
now are, there will result accommodations for
two hundred more. Therefore three hundred
students can have the usual drawing conven-
iences which are sufficiently ample for the
present, and the needs of the near future.
* Where are the recitation rooms for these
large classes, as they certainly will have to be
divided, and there is not now room ?" As we
look at things we think there is, but it is oc-
cupied for purposes in no way connected with
the college good. We refer to the High
School, which occupies one entire wing of the
building. The managers of this affair have
recognized that it would be poor policy to
limit their classes to fifty, and to have require-
ments for admission, and consequently they
have reaped a harvest of enormous numbers,
which threatens to engulf the whole college.
They have turned out our respected janitor from
his cosy and comfortable quarters, and now
they have encroached to the very heart o^ the
Institute's domains. " Preps " have the right
to the occupancy of the lecture rooms of
physics, languages, etc., and their childish
needs are ministered to by college professors;
they have also asserted the right of the entire
campus, so that now it is almost impossible
for the college students to use it at all.
What is all this leading to ? In a few years
when the present students return as alumni,
they will behold mere children, the "preps"
enjoying all the advantages and doing all the
honors of the Institution; they will then in-
dividually retire to the " Elysian Fields " and
straightway commit suicide from shame and
mortification at having entrusted their
tion to such a degenerate Alma Mater.
Surely it is not the duty of a reputable col-
lege to furnish preparatory education. If the
school desires to continue, there is certainly to
be found in Hoboken some other building
suitable for the purpose, but whether there is
or not, THE PREPS MUST GO. We appeal to
you, alumni, who above all have the interest
and welfare of the college at heart; we appeal
to you, students, whom it may not affect
now, but it will after graduation, to aid by
your influence to see that the preps are com-
pelled to go. Seeing that the college receives
the same amount from a student as from a
prep, and that the former requires less at-
tention than the latter, there is then no reason
they should remain and occupy this needed
space in exclusion of the college men.
Then again you say, " These larger classes
would necessitate more instructors (not neces-
sarily professors), and possibly more room even
than the High School could supply. Where
then is the money coming from to obtain
these ? " " Ask and ye shall receive." Once
make the need known throughout the country,
in the scientific and technical press; beg hard,
and something is bound to be received, for there
is certainly as much wealth in the engineering
profession as in any other of equal size, and
there is no reason why Stevens cannot draw it
out as well as any other college. During the
last summer, the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology by this means obtained an endow-
ment for a very large amount. Why Stevens
has not received donations before, has been
due to the prevailing idea that it was so mag-
nificently endowed as to go on forever con-
stantly living much within its income. Why not
also apply to the State Legislature for an ap-
propriation ? Other colleges of not half the im-
portance of this have done so, and as a result
have secured large amounts.
-♦♦♦•
IMPORTANT ELECTRICAL TESTS AT
THE INSTITUTE.
The commission appointed by the Chicago
National Exhibition of Railway Appliances, to
test the leading systems of electric lighting,
have selected the Institute as the site of their
experiments with various large dynamos.
The work will commence with the testing of
a Weston 24 arc light machine, and a Weston
two light incandescent machine. These
machines are now at the Institute ready for
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
1 1
running, and the work of arranging the shaft-
ing, dynamometers, electric circuits, and elec-
trical measuring apparatus is being rapidly
pushed to completion.
Additional floor space has been secured in
the shop gallery by flooring over a portion of
the open centre space of the gallery floor so
that a total area of nearly i,ooo square feet is
devoted to the dynamos, their mountings and
connections.
Each dynamo is to be run in turn by a vertical
belt directly off the flywheel of the shop's en-
gine, and the power to drive it is to be deter-
mined by balancing the dynamo on knife edges
so that the effort of the driving belt will tend to
deflect the machine from a vertical'position;
but a scale beam attached to the dynamo will
be weighted so as to resist such deflection; and,
from the weights added to this scale beam, the
power to drive the dynamo will be determined.
This method of measuring the power which
has been lately given prominence by publica-
tions of Prof. Brackett, of Princeton, in the
English -£/r^/r/V/tf«, eliminates all friction out-
side of the machine except that due to the
knife edges upon which the machine is hung,
and this will be so small an amount as to be a
neglectable error. The electrical energy de-
livered by the machine will be measured both
by galvanometers and a voltameter, one method
checking the other. A special tangent galvan-
ometer has been designed by Dr. Thomas, of
the University of Missouri. Several other im-
portant instruments have been supplied by
Dr. W. E. Geyer, and Prof. Brackett, of Prince-
ton, and elaborate arrangements are made in
the way of resistance coils, switches, etc. The
experiments will commence in a few days and
will continue some weeks. The commission
c :)nsists of
Dji. Henry Morton, Chairman, of
Stevens Institute.
Mr. Coleman Sellers, Philadelphia.
Prof. Brackett, of Princeton.
Prof. Thomas, of University of Mis-
souri.
Prof. Denton, of Stevens Institute.
While two of the freshmen were watching
the operation of the large Weston dynamo in
the gallery of the workshop, one was heard to
remark : " You had better button up your
overcoat if you don't want your watch mag-
netized."
As a result of a preliminary examination of
the Institute Library, it was found that the
material was good, but rather too light to^tand
the strain that would come upon it should it
be run to its full capacity. Its standing parts
are well arranged, but its setting, or surround-
ings, are notably bad. It is placed in a part
of the building where it can never be accessible
for general use, and its movable parts are con-
sequently always to be found in different pro-
fessors' rooms, where the students cannot get
them.
In " indicating" the library, it was found to
give a very poor card, due almost entirely to
its poor management, bad setting, and non-
regulation. It seems to "cut-off" before the
beginning of the stroke, indeed, if it ever
makes a stroke.
The back pressure in the form of a noisy
location, want of a catalogue, and the number
of books indefinitely in professorial hands, is
very nearly equal to the effective pressure,
thereby reducing the efficiency to a minimum.
As it is impossible to make such a machine as
a college library automatic, it should have good
care and attendance. The engineer should be
on hand at all times, and should be alive to his
duties. Until this year there has always been
a regular engineer, but, according to the 1883-
1884 catalogue, we now have none. The P'ac-
ulty should remedy this oversight, and let us
have here an efficient department, which could
be made of value to all others. It is feared
the College Library will not bear comparison
in any respect to the well managed private col-
lections of any of the professors.
" Can such things be,
.\nd overcome us like a summer cloud,
Without our special wonder?"
Macbeth.
Note : We did not try a dynamometer on the library,
fearing the embarrassment of a negative result.
The fact of Prof. Carr's sitting in the room
during Prof. Wood's examination of the Senior
Class last term has been much talked of. That
the Seniors regard it as a most uncompliment-
ary action on Prof. Wood's part, evincing an
attitude not in accordance with his usual and
past treatment of the class, is certain, and the
very fact of his being Prof. Wood made it much
more noticeable and insinuating. If Prof. Carr
was there for his own good, we have no objec-
tions; but this is not at all likely. Again, it is
just as unlikely that Prof. Wood considered
12
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
himself unable to examine the class alone, for
Prof. Carr took no part in the examination.
It would appear, then, that Prof. Wood feared
the class would use unfair means, and endeav-
or to cheat, and thought it necessary to have a
spy on hand to detect any attempt to "crib."
This might do for Freshmen or * Preps," but,
when one becomes a Senior, he is expected to
have some respect for his professor, for him-
self, and for his class. He realizes that his
time is short, and tries to learn what he can,
not to see what he can pass by unlearnt. On the
other hand, taking the view that the Senior is
but an experienced deceiver and well practiced
cheat, up to all conceivable tricks for " skin-
ning," it would be indeed strange if he could
not " pony " through it all, without Prof. Wood,
or Prof. Carr, or any other professor seeing
him. In order to make perfect this system of
preventing unfair help on examinations, there
would have to be a deputy professor for each
student, who shall keep close guard upon him,
and watch his every movement as a cat does
a mouse. If this be so, why not try another
plan, one which is at least practical, and one
which is honorable and more in standing with
a Senior Class: that is, rely on their manliness.
•<#»»-
iBRsei^piis.
We have endeavored in this issue to record
all changes in the movements of the Alumni
which have occurred since the publication of
the last Institute catalogue. Alumni and all
former Stevens men are requested to co-
operate with the editors in making these
columns as interesting as possible, by promptly
reporting any changes that may from time to
time occur.
'73.
J. A. Henderson, assistant engineer, U. S.
N., is at present on duty on the Miantonomoh.
'75-
F. M. Leavitt, since Dec. ist, is assistant
superintendent for E. W. Bliss, manufacturer
of presses and dies, Brooklyn.
■76.
G. C. Henning can now be addressed: care
of Maurice & Kellogg, bridge builders, Athens,
Pa.
William Kent, who was associated wi&
W. F. Zimmerman, '76, in the Pittsburg Tc^* ^
ing Laboratory in 1883, is now superintendent^^]
of the sales department of the Babcock %c:f\
Wilcox Company, 30 Cortlandt Street, Nc«
York.
A. W. Stahl, assistant engineer, U, S. N^ .^
was assigned in August to duty at the Purdoe v.
University, Lafayette, Ind., as professor of:
mechanical engineering.
'77.
L. H. Nash is the patentee of a very neat.
little gas-pumping engine, which is manufac-
tured by the National Meter Company^
Brooklyn.
E. A. Uehling is chemist to the Bethlehem
Iron Co., South Bethlehem, Pa.
Franklin Van Winkle resigned his posi-
tion at the Texas State College in June, and
coming north, opened an office as consultmg
engineer at 20 Cortlandt Street, New York.
'78.
W. R. Baird's "American College Fra-
ternities " has recently seen its second revised
edition. The work is the only one upon the
subject which has any claims for accuracy and
authenticity, and has had a large sale. It is
published by the author. Box 1848, New
York.
H. J. Bonn will be connected during the
present year with the construction of the
Elevated Railroad on Ferry Street, Hoboken,
which will haul the street cars from the ferries
to the Heights by cable traction.
H. T. Brueck is with W. H. Bowers, con-
sulting mining and civil engineer. Mills Build-
ing, New York.
A. De Bonneville is draughting at the
Delamater Iron Works, New York.
J. W. LiTTELL, second lieutenant, U. S. N.,
is stationed at Fort Wayne, Mich.
•79-
W. P. Jacobs is of the firm of Jones &
Jacobs, consulting engineers, Salt Lake City,
Utah.
I^^M^fei
-Coi7i;E/^sg-
^peoCton Sour o^ OfoM of '8^,
rouj^A CAo S2?a«t Surno-rc.
m&iilC S^oad^n oA a Ba^C Soolf, .
9ar*»S' 3 A* vKmafAUr Sbrmsr,
^.^^A. ■^'He 3r*JAm.tn:* ^^-u .
THE
iQTfeve^^s THdi(ial@R
Vol. 1.
HOBOKEN, N. J., FEBRUARY, 1884.
No. 2.
PUBLISHBD ON TUB
IMh OF EACH MONTH, DURING THE COLLEGE YEAR,
BY THE STUDKNTS OF
^teVen^ Institute of TBCpoIogij.
SlvCtors.
K01TOK.IK.CHIBF, . . C. W. WHITING, '84.
BUSI9IU8 Editur A. P. KLETZSCH, '84.
ExcuAMCB Editor, .... JOHN M. RUSBY, '85.
ftoral £l»Ctors.
ROLLIN NORRIS, '85.
K. P. MOWTON, '86. C. R. COLLINS, '86.
LADD PLUMLEY, '87-
■♦♦■
:— 41.B0 p«r YMr, in Advance. Single Copy. 20 Cents.
Emini tt lUfe^B Pmt i\tm at Ktrvrnd Ua^t MoUtr.
SathseripHoHs taken by the business matia^er^ who will
' the paptr to any address^ prepaid, on receipt of
copies can be obtained at Lnihin's book store,
Hodoktn, N,J,
T*he paper mil be sent regularly to subscribers until
0wAred io be discontinued.
Subsefibers will please immediately notify us of any
ckanse in their address or failure to receive the paper
rwgteiarfy.
^rofessors^ alumni^ undergraduates^ and friends^ are
imviUd io contribute literary articlis, items, verses^ dis-
€MSsiems of current topics, and personal notes,
Vif is particuLirly desired that Alumni furnish us with
all items of interest cotueming themsehes and e7'ery one
loMa keu been connected with the Institute.
It is expected that all articles shall be written in a
eauarUaus tone,
T'ke wriief^s full name, as well as his nom de pli'me,
r/ aeeompany the article, as assurance of ^^ood faith
'reHahiiiiy; but it 7vill not be published, unless desired.
JTMe editors do net necessarily endofse sentiments ex-
pressed except in the editorial and exchange columns.
J^wsbtsshers ate invited to send us books and magazines
J0r watiee or review,
£^ehanges, contributions, subscript ions, advertisements,
msui €tii other communications by mail, should be addressed
ta Tl« Ste\'ENS Indicator, Stevens Institute, Iloboken,
Ali ptrsoms wishing to secure the business patronage of
simeisnts and alumni, will find it to their advantage to
' fcr our adx'ertising rates.
HE Stkvkns Indicator is no longer a
^1'"' thing of the future, but is now actually in
existence. Its initial number has been out for
several weeks, and criticisms upon it have been
pouring in upon us during that time. Natu-
rally, these were of a varied character, some
pleasing us, while others were well designed
to produce a contrary feeling ; some comment-
ing on the contents of our paper, while others
took the frict as a basis for their criticisms,
and all tending to make us feel that an editor's
life is not a happy one. These comments
originated in the minds of professors, students
and outsiders ; but as yet we have received
none from that other most important source,
the college press.
The support given us has been about as we
expected, little and hesitating at first, but ever
on the increase ; and we take this opportu-
nity to thank those contributors and subscrib-
ers who have seen fit to favor us. Our con-
tributors are few as yet, and we would urge
on the students the necessity of lending their
every aid to the promotion of such an enter-
prise as this, for it is only with such aid that
it can exist at all, and we think none will ques-
tion the advisability of such an existence. We
would appeal more particularly to those who
have some connection with the college inter-
ests, such as the captains, officers, and com-
mittees appointed by the athletic association,
to jot down their proceedings in suitable form
for publication and forward them to us. Such
news as this is of the most importance in any
college paper, and we would keep our columns
well filled with it. Our subscribers are fully
as numerous as could be expected so early in
our existence, yet we hope to double, and even
treble, the present list in a very short time, and
would kindly solicit subscriptions from all who
are in any way interested in our welfare.
u
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
rN the first number of our journal, nothing
was said concerning its name and how it
came by it. We simply offered a monthly
college paper to our readers, and let them un-
derstand that we intended to call it The Ste-
vens Indicator. Now, it may please some
to know why it is so called and what is meant
by the name. At a meeting of the college,
which was held to discuss the advisability of
publishing a paper, several names were pro-
posed and voted on. This resulted in the
adoption of our present title, as being very
suitable to the character of the intended
paper and to the Institute itself.
We all know what a steam engine indicator
is, and that it records on a diagram, which we
are able to translate, what actions take place
within a steam cylinder during a revolution of
the engine. So, also, does our Indicator re-
cord in such form as to be readable whatever
of interest occurs at the Institute and among
its friends during the scholastic year. Follow-
ing up the duty of an indicator, it also at-
tempts to show the engineers what pressure
is being carried and where it is cut off, sug-
gesting at the same time, to those competent
to read our " Indicator Cards," where it should
be cut off. In our last issue the "Stuffing
Box " was empty, but is well packed this time,
and as a natural consequence, we expect to
have a smoother run. Our " Chippings " are
of a rather inferior quality as yet, since our
work has been of the rougher sort ; but in the
looked for advance, we hope to have work on
finer metals, and then our pile of " Chippings "
will be of more value.
rT has been suggested, as a last resort, that
in the event of not having sufficient mat-
ter to fill the columns of the Indicator, the
vacant spaces could be filled by such odds and
ends as " Wants," " Lost and Found," etc. It
would rather seem that these odds and ends
are of some importance to us, hereabouts, for
we have suffered a great loss, and a longing
has arisen for the lost article, but which, we
are sorry to say, has not been and does not
seem likely to be found.
Now that we have a means of communi-
cating with those beyond our walls, as well as
those interested within, it might be conducive
of some good results if we made a note in each
issue of our paper, in bold type, that we have
lost our gymnasium, and that we want an-
other if the old one cannot be found.
We are poor, and cannot offer any induce-
ment in the way of a reward for the finder,
but we can show that we appreciate any
effort for a revival of the gymnasium by put-
ting it to good use in the development of phys-
ical strength, by which we may be better able
to meet the demands of the lecture room.
The second term of the college year is con-
ceded to be the hardest term of the year, and
partly or wholly for the reason that the whole
time is given up to study, and only in excep-
tional cases is there any active physical exer-
cise indulged in.
For those of the students who are blessed
i^-ith strong constitutions, this extra strain is
soon remedied when spring weather permits
of out-door exercise ; but there are many to
whom this constant tax on their minds is posi-
tively hurtful, and its effects can be easily
traced through their subsequent lives.
The standard of the Institute is constantly
being raised, and the work increased, by the
addition of new professorships, as though the
boys who come to Stevens were of a peculiar
order of beings especially designed to have
their heads filled and crammed, crammed and
filled for four years, and when turned out are
expected to assume the duties of an expert
M. E.
When one's lot falls in green fields, other-
wise a luxurious New York office, the strain
is not so great ; but when called to new coun-
tries and to hard work, which is inseparably
connected with such a position, the lack of
physical ability often hinders a great mind
from following its natural inclination.
The Institute has been aptly likened to a
"great rock breaker," whose purpose is to
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
15
" craunch and sift " those who enter its doors.
True ; but this machine, like all other ma-
chines, has its defects, and much valuable ore
is lost by slipping through with the waste.
Some few of the students who have the
means, use a gymnasium in the town, but only
a few ; whereas, if we had a building which
could be called our own, it would attract all,
giving equal opportunity to every one.
We have our fall and spring out-door sports,
we know, but for the winter, no means what-
ever of attending to this important necessity
of physical culture.
In the meetings of the Athletic Association,
a committee is always appointed to look into
the matter of a gymnasium with a regularity
that would lead an outsider to suppose the
proceeding was a part of the by-laws of the
Association, but nothing has thus far been
accomplished.
We would respectfully ask the Trustees to
consider this subject, not doubting but that
they will appreciate the necessity and advisa-
bility of erecting a gymnasium, and thus add-
ing to the already numerous advantages of
Stevens Institute.
FOOTBALL is now more than a science. It
is an industry, and the man who would ex-
cel in it must not only be thoroughly up in every-
thing pertaining to its theory, but must go
through a course of the most vigorous training.
A model football captain must be one who
unites in his make-up the elasticity of india-
rubber with the toughness of the boarding
house steak and the wearing qualities of
the Freshman's freshness. He should be in-
ured to hardship from his earliest infancy. A
fall from the roof of a six-story building, sup-
plemented by exercise with glass dumb-bells
stuffed with dynamite, should be the morning
course. In the afternoon he should take a
nap in a blast furnace and " tackle" the fly-
wheel of a Corliss engine, or, if possible, a run-
away express train. When, by conscientious
practice, he has reduced these minor details
to the finest obtainable point, he is ready
learn "rushing." After he has attained the
highest speed and the greatest perfection in
dodging, it will be necessary to "get through**
any obstruction in his way. Stone walls will
do to begin on, and by the time he can get
through one of Prof. Thurston's examinations
his training is about 100.
While we have no authority for stating with
that degree of positiveness usually characteriz-
ing editorial utterances, that Stevens' recently
elected football captain has pursued this course
of training, we have no hesitation in affirming
(so help us, Bobby) that he has attained this re-
sult— at least as far as can be judged from his ac-
tion in the football field. He is not large, but
his energy, quickness, toughness,and always-on-
the-ballness, fully makes up for his mere want
of avoirdupois and cubic feet. Seriously, Oscar
Baldwin has a happy faculty of always " get-
ting there." He knows all the points and tricks
of the game, knows the men and how to pick
them, and — in short, he has the qualifications
of a good Captain. Let the men go through
a modified edition of the training suggested
above and furnish the captain with the proper
raw material, and he will get up a team that
will enable Stevens to " keep her end up" in
the football field.
* ^ » »-
TT7HE Inter-Collegiate Base-Ball Association
1 has now an established existence.
The delegates from Lafayette, Rutgers and
Stevens held a meeting Feb. 9 at the Stur-
tevant House, New York City. The Univer-
sity of Pennsylvania decided not to enter the
league, on account of some uncertainty as to
their athletic grounds.
The three first named colleges, however,
completed all the necessary arrangements,
adopted a constitution and by-laws as found
elsewhere in our columns, elected officers for the
ensuing year and arranged a schedule of
games.
The constitution is that which was submit-
ted to the convention at their former meeting,
Jan. 19, at Fasten, and which was then agreed
upon, subject to the meeting of Feb. 9.
i6
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
A number of changes were made, but mostly
relating to unimportant minutiae, that relating
to the eligibility of players being probably the
most important.
A unanimous invitation to join the league
was sent to the University of Pennsylvania.
We are very glad that this union has been
cemented, and would urge upon our players
the necessity of constant practice and severe
training. A game won or lost will now be
more than simply a won or lost game — it will
materially affect the question of who is to be
first in the league and who is to be last. Of
course all three colleges aspire to the former
position, but one of them is sure to have the
latter. Let one consideration pull us and the
other push us forward to such an extent that
we surprise even ourselves by our fine playing.
Let us try to win tilery game and then we will
be sure of the championship.
We call upon the base-ball men to see whether
they cannot eclipse the fame of our foot-ball
men, and we would like to see a spirit of gener-
ous rivalry between the two teams, each striv-
ing to add the greater glory to Stevens.
MMONG the many excellent things the Ath-
letic Association has done this fall, may
be counted the appointment of a committee to
prepare for the proposed spring games. The
appointment of the committee is a large step
in the right direction, for it shows a desire on
the part of the majority to push the project.
There is no reason why the meeting should
not be a success. We have our own grounds,
and a large number of our students reside in
Hoboken at no great distance from them. It
is from these students that we expect the most,
more especially as a number of them have
made arrangements to attend a gymnasium
while the snow is on the ground. The events
as arranged are :
IOC yards dash.
220 yards dash.
I mile run.
Running high jump.
Running broad jump.
Putting the shot.
Throwing the hammer.
Throwing the base-ball.
Kicking the foot-ball.
3-legged race.
Pole vaulting.
And tugs of war by representative teams
from each class.
It is to be hoped that every one will try and
do what he can to make the thing a success.
Some one will be selected, by superior fitness,
to represent Stevens in the inter-collegiate
games, and it is from our own meeting that
we expect the best men to come forward. If
we have no representatives in the next inter-
collegiate contest, we lose our place, which we
must not do. So, everybody practice some-
thing, and be prepared to make a good show-
ing in that something for the benefit of
Stevens.
A LIFE IN THE WEST.
O, a life in the West is the life for me !
Where the wild deer roam 'neath the forest tree ;
Where no •* tender-foot" comes with his Eastern ways,
Nor the meek-eyed dude with his cane and stajrs ;
Where the coyote's howl and the burro's song
Make merry the hours as they speed along.
I love to camp on the mountain's peak
When the summer's sky has sprung a leak ;
When the lightning's flash and the thunder's crack,
And the rain pours gently down my back ;
When the fire won't burn — then I howl with glee —
O, a life in the West is the life for me.
I love to eat my rations of fat,
Of bacon, pork, and such as that;
Of coffee, made of the innocent bean —
You bet, there's nothing about that's mean ;
With the greasy cards and pipe alight
To while away the hours at night.
I love to pack my baggage and grub
And whack my burro with a club ;
Then gracefully down the mountain side,
With many a tumble, and many a slide.
And hie away in the morning damp
To the latest strike in some mining camp.
I envy not the lot of those
Who live in the East and wear store clothes ;
Who sleep in a bed and eat with a fork
And are mighty particular how they talk ;
Who frequent the club and the matinee —
Just give me the West, the West for me.
Swift.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
17
PROGRESS OF ELECTRICAL TESTS AT
THE INSTITUTE.
The work of the electric commission, noticed
in our last issue, is fast approaching comple-
tion as regards perfecting the several methods
to be used in determining the efficiency of
the dynamos.
The aim is to settle upon a basis for the de-
termination of electromotive force and current
measurement which can be accurately applied
at any future time, so that, should other makers
of machines challenge the results and desire
to submit to a comparative test, an unquestion-
able basis for such comparison may remain at
the Institute and be maintained as a standard.
Present indications are that the calorimeter
jpethod for strength of current, and the abso-
lute electrometer applied through close cells
for electromotive force, will be chosen as the
desired bases. The large calorimeter designed
by Prof. Thomas promises well, and the self-
recording dynamometer applied to the belt
driving the d5aiamos is proving very conven-
ient. The latter agrees with the Brackett dyna-
mometer to within one-tenth of a horse power.
< # » >
THE NEW PROFESSOR OF MECHAN-
ICAL ENGINEERING AT SHEFFIELD
SCIENTIFIC SCHOOL.
It is announced that Mr. C. B. Richards,
superintendent of the Southwark Foundry
and Machine Company, Philadelphia, and for-
mer Mechanical Engineer at Colt's Armory,
Hartford, is to fill the vacancy caused by
Prof. Dubois' transfer from the chair of
Dynamical to that of Civil Engineering at
Sheffield Scientific School, Yale College.
In securing the services of one of Mr.
Richards' large and rare experience as a prac-
tical engineer, Sheffield is to be highly con-
gratulated. It is to be hoped that the practical
ingenuity and skill in devising experimental
apparatus, which has marked Mr. Richards*
commercial career, as exemplified in the
Richards' Steam Engine Indicator, the Auto-
matic Testing Machine, and various dynamo-
metric apparatus at Colt's armory, and the
several ingenious appliances used in the
ventilation of the Hartford State House, may
now have their application in scientific investi-
gation, while it cannot be doubted that Mr.
Richards' great knowledge of applied me-
chanics will render his services as an instructor
of the choicest value to the student.
INSPECTION TOUR OF CLASS OF '84.
It is proposed that the visits of the class
commence with a trip to Bethlehem on the
first Saturday in March, and that they visit
Trenton and the machine shops at Philadel-
phia and Edgemoor the following Wednesday
and Thursday. It is expected that Mr. Can-
will then join the class in a trip to the ship
yards of Philadelphia, Chester, and Wilming-
ton for Friday and Saturday of the same week,
so that the entire western tour will be accom-
plished before the April vacation, when it is
intended to make the New England trip. It
is desirable that the names of all who contem-
plate making the several visits be deposited
with Mr. Riesenberger within this week, in
order that the necessary preliminaries regard-
ing transportation rates can be effected.
J. E. D.
♦♦♦ ^
A QUESTION.
Dare I trust a boyish fancy,
Bom within this swelling breast,
Seeking one way, then another,
Where, O where can it find rest ?
Though I seek and seek it madly,
Yet it nowhere can I find,
Till it seems that I would almost
In despairing lose my mind.
Yet I pray the Lord that never
Such my dreadful fate will be,
While upon this earth I linger,
Waiting, it may be, for — she.
She, who to my boyish fancy
I would picture all could fill,
If I only could persuade her
To pronounce the words, ** I will."
But how is it, older people.
You who have a long time been
In the holy bond united.
Tell me is this wish a sin ?
Is it sinful, older people,
When you have a loving heart,
And a gentle creature won it,
From this creature ne'er to part ?
If it's sinful, older people,
Then, pray tell me, why did you.
In your youth, to one another.
Pledge and plight yourselves so true ?
If you dare not say it's sinful,
One more question I would ask,
For the same thing that you practiced —
Why do you take us to task ?
And doubt that this our ** fancy "
Can with all your " proved love " scope ;
*' We are young," we, must remember,
But why crush such blissful hope?
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
THROUGH THE BLAST FURNACE.
One of the '87 men was directed to clean
the blast furnace out, and after usingthe crow
bar until his arms felt like elongated boils,
concluded that there was a more easy way to
do the job. With a pleasant expression on
his face, showing that he considered himself
one of the foremost inventors of the age, he
drew himself under the furnace and crawled
up inside. For a while the sound of the blows
of a hammer came merrily out on the gassy
air. But suddenly an agonized cry broke
forth, and then the muffled words, ' Moses !
help me; I am stuck !" His companions drew
him out, after the manner of the pulHng of a
tooth. His face was bleeding, his hair and
clothes were filled with cinders, and yet his
heroic spirit was far from being quenched,
and the first words that were spoken by this
" cinder eater " were, " I am the first man
through the furnace ; follow who that dare."
THE SMOKING ROOM.
We are highly delighted with the interest
and kindness which the Faculty have displayed
toward the two lower classes, in providing a
lunch and smoking room for their special
benefit. It is true that the two rooms are
combined in one, but that does not matter ;
in fact, it only adds to the peculiar odor
which fills even the overcoat pockets of the
happy (?) student who does not smoke, but
who, however, would like to choose his own
tobacco if he must be compelled to smell the
smoke.
If one is not ravenously hungry, he can con-
tent himself with the dense and stomach satis-
fying smell of bread and butter which has
constantly filled the above mentioned room
since the coming of '87 ; not that we have any
fault to find with the " staff of life " and its
usual companion, but we would prefer it in its
accustomed place, and not in what was meant
to be a coat room — beg pardon, I meant ex-
change. It seems strange to us that young
men who have, no doubt, been brought up
better, should be content to sit in a room not
fifteen feet square and about seven feet high,
and convert themselves into active volcanoes,
until, even in the small space allotted to us,
there is need of a guide to find one's coat
through the dense smoke from bad cigarettes.
We hope that the objects of this notice will be
kind enough to discontinue their fumigating
operations, or at least change their base of
operations and have some consideration for
the feelings of their unfortunate (?) college
mates who have yet to learn how to smoke.
Non-Smoker.
A COAT EXCHANGE.
One day last month an amusing coat ex-
change took place in the Freshman class.
One of the workers in the moulding room
drew off his overalls, !aved the smut off
his face and prepared himself to regain his
proper place in society. He was about to put
on his coat when he found that it was gone.
A careful search did not revea! it. A coat was
hanging in the place where he had left his
own. Hurriedly he seized upon this, and noted
with joy that it was but about six inches too
short and only a foot too large around the
body. As _he was on his way for a train and
late, he hastened his steps through the hall,
and just as he was about to leave the Institute,
a fellow student passing him ejaculated, "Jiin-
miny, somebody has my coat !" and the mo-
ment afterward rushed at the victim of his
carelessness, and demanded why he had stolen
his coat. At the word "stolen" the blood
rushed into the face of the first man, and, wait-
ing for nothing, he closed with the other.
At this moment, when the life of each seemed
as if suspended by a single thread, a professor
was seen approaching and the conflict was ab-
ruptly ended. Sullenly the combatants ex-
changed coats and separated. One to discover
that he had missed his train and would there-
fore lose his dinner ; the other, that the car
which was to convey him to a fair damsel's
door, whom he had promised to take to a con-
cert, had gone, and that it was too late to start
to walk the distance to her door.
" Who stole who's coat ?" is still a question
in the Freshman class, and it is feared that it
will never be settled.
MORTAR BOARDS.
A few upper classmen have been trying to
introduce the custom of wearing mortar boards
around college.
No one is to be condemned for introducing
a new custom, for we always like to see some-
thing new tried and to have the college judge
as to its merits and advisability of adoption.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
19
This present experiment, however, we cannot
uphold, as in order to wear mortar boards,
gowns also must be worn, and this is not con-
sistent with a scientific course, especially since
we graduate with a degree of Mechanical Engi-
neer.
Although the custom in itself is entirely in-
appropriate, there is a great objection to the
introduction of such a conspicuous dress in a
college situated in a city and not having any
dormitories.
They have tried to introduce the wearing of
mortar boards and gowns at Columbia School
of Arts, but, have not fully succeeded, for the
same reason that they have no dormitories.
The red hats in vogue last spring are better
than these, or if the students want something
new, why not wear some sort of an ingenious
cap, something like the handsome skull caps
worn at the Columbia School of Mines ?
> ^ » »
MARK TWAIN INSTEAD OF FOWLER'S
ENGLISH AS A TEXT BOOK.
To illustrate how hard the Freshman class
has been studying during the recent term, the
following incident is noticed : One of the
members of the above class, after a night
spent in study and rest in unequal proportion,
hurried down at 10:30 to his breakfast, then
rushing to his room, seized the book which he
had been cramming the night before, pulled
on his overcoat, and started for the Institute
on a-hundred-to-the-minute walk.
A studious individual, without a text-book,
saw him enter the building, and laying hold
of this opportunity which Providence had
thrown in his way, asked to be allowed to
take a last look at the book, before his fate —
in shape of Prof. Wall — was to be met. The
book was handed to him, when to his astonish-
ment he discovered that the book in question
was Mark Twain's "Tramp Abroad.'*
Comment is unnecessary. To our mind
surely this has a strange look. Whether some
evil spirit or spirits exchanged Fowler for
Mark, or whether Mark was crammed instead
of Fowler, we cannot say.
We should advise, however, that if any stu-
dent has a copy of Mark, he put it in a safe
place, for Mark will out.
* ♦» »
Professor (who has been trying to deduce
a very simple equation, but with indifferent
success) — Oh ! here's our mistake."
THE AMATEUR FARMER.
I dream't of a beautiful time,
When the world shall happy be ;
When elephants and hyenas
Shall blossom on every tree :
When tamarinds and potatoes
Shall cease their dreadful roar ;
When turnip trees shall blossom
In the garden evermore.
I dream't of a great Republic,
When people shall all go West,
Sow plums and reap tomatoes
In the land they love the best ;
Where pig iron and molasses
Shall bloom on every hill,
And chickens low in the barnyard
While gooseberries toil at the mill.
I'm weary of seeing the cabbage
Handle the rake and hoe ;
I'm weary of watching and waiting
For the grasshopper bush to grow ;
I long for the time when spinach
Shall cope with bread and milk ;
When hens shall lay potatoes
.\nd horses spin raw silk.
Oh ! sweet were the vanquished hours
When I wandered down the glen,
And wreathed my brow with tomatoes,
Or plucked the ripened hen ;
When the donkey twined up the trellis,
And the cucumber chirped in the grass !
And the sweet potato whistled
To its mate in the mountain pass.
But gone are the days of childhood,
And manhood's dreams are mine ;
Yet I long for the by-gone hours
As I sit 'neath this Turkish vine.
Oh ! wreathe your blossoms about me.
And soothe my aching breast ;
While gooseberry plaintively warbles
And lulls me into rest.
LACROSSE.
For some time past there has been some
scattering talk about inaugurating the game of
lacrosse at Stevens. . The matter has hereto-
fore gone no further than talk, there being
apparently no one taking sufficient interest to
push the thing through.
At last, however, it appears that we are to
nufnber this most excellent game as one of
our athletic diversions.
We will not here attempt a full description
of the game, but will simply give a brief out-
line :
Lacrosse occupies a position intermediate
between football and " hockey," or " shinney,"
yet differs widely from both. The object of
the players is to get the ball (which is of solid
20
THE STEVENS INDICA TOR.
rubber and about the size of a tennis ball) be-
tween goal posts, of which there are two, six
feet high and six feet apart, at each end of the
field. Twelve players are required on each
side, and they play in pairs. This last is one
of the pleasant features of the game ; the men
have certain assigned positions in the field,
and when the ball is in another part of the
field, a player always has an opponent, also dis-
engaged, with whom he can chat.
The " sticks '* with which the ball is handled
are about five feet long, bent over at one end
and netted about half way up. The ball can-
not be touched with the hands, but must be
managed entirely with these netted sticks.
Kicking the ball and striking it on the ground,
as in " shinney," are, in most cases, bad play-
ing. Expert playing requires speed and agil-
ity, the ability to dodge while carrying the
ball on the stick, and also to catch and throw
with accuracy.
Lacrosse possesses all the advantages of foot-
ball without its principal drawbacks. It is
splendid as a physical developer, but is not the
rough-and-tumble game that foot-ball is. Dex-
terity and quickness tell more than sheer weight.
The rules are simple and easily learned.
There are no " off side '* complications, every-
thing being fair, except intentionally striking
the person of another player. There are no
time consuming and uninteresting " downs "
to be played, but the game is essentially one
in accord with the spirit of the age. The pace
is a rattling one from beginning to end.
If we enter into the matter earnestly, there
is no reason why the Stevens Lacrosse Team
should not win laurels even from such colleges
as Harvard, Princeton and Yale.
We extend to those interested in starting
this game our best wishes for their and its suc-
cess, and if they ever feel discouraged, would
remind them of the old proverb, " Cest le
premUrpas qui couU." ^^^^^^ Snowden.
«■# »»
BASE-BALL.
The brilliant record made by Stevens last
season in this scientific sport is so well known
that it is not necessary to publish the record
here. Suffice it to say that never before since
we have had a base-ball nine have we played
with such strong teams, scored so many vic-
tories, nor the standard of playing been so high.
This is partly due to the increased interest
taken in base-ball last year, but more especially
to the fact that on the team were men who had
played on the nine ever since their Freshman
year, and had become expert players; but now
that some of these men have graduated, we have
only one course to pursue — to work harder
than ever before, and keep the place which we
now hold, viz. : first among the non " American
College Association" clubs. This we are bet-
ter able to do this year than last, owing to
the fact of having a gymnasium — small to be
sure, but sufficiently large to prepare for the
field practice, which promises to begin earlier
than usual this season. Every man in col-
lege who has ever played should take it upon
himself to use the gymnasium every Tuesday,
Friday and Saturday afternoon from now until
the first of April, not simply as a pastime, but
work hard and systematically, especially in
developing the muscles of the arms, shoul-
ders and chest.
Before last year altogether too much indif-
ference had been shown as to securing positions
on the nine. This spirit is not yet entirely done
away with, but the sooner it is the better it
will be. ■ The power to accomplish this lies
mainly with the lower classes, for at present
there are men in them who would by a little
practice make good players, and if they will
show more interest there will be a livelier com-
petition, a better team and a more brilliant rec-
ord; then it will not be left for the captain to
drum up the men every time there is to be a
practice game.
This season will be a particularly exciting
one, owing to our having formed a league with
Rutgers and Lafayette. This should be an in-
centive for hard work.
Yale has eighteen men training for the nine,
the idea of the captain being for these to play
a series of games among themselves before
choosing the regular nine. In this way each
position will be filled by the man who has the
best record. It would be well for us to follow
her example, but it cannot be done unless there
are enough trying for the several positions to
make up two nines. If the men do not care one
way or the other it is impossible for the cap-
tain to make them, but if they will make more
of an exception of this year than even last, they
can rest assured that the best men will get the
positions, and that these men will be the
means of winning for Stevens the pennant
which is offered by the league. And now if
all the men who have ever played or who care
to try for this season's team will let me know,
it will greatly aid in deciding the course of
training to be pursued.
C. L. Gately, Capt,
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
CONSTITUTION,
The Constitution adopted by delegates from
Stevens, Lafayette and Rutgers, for a base-ball
association, New York, Feb. 9, 1884,
Article I.
Sec. I. The name of this association shall
be the Inter Collegiate Base-Ball League,
Article IL
Sec. I. The following colleges shall con-
stitute the league ; Stevens, Lafayette and
Rutgers.
Sec. z. An annual lax of ten (10) dollars
shall be levied upon each college in the league,
payable on or before the first day of May,
twenty-five (25) dollars of which is to be ex-
pended on a pennant for the champion nine,
and the surplus to be used in defraying general
expenses incurred by the Secretary.
Sec 3. An equal assessment shall be levied
by the Secretary at the end of the season, upon
each college in the league, to defray the amount
incurred for printing and general expenses.
Sec. 4. No other colleges than those named
shall be admitted to membership except by
the unanimous consent of the colleges of the
league.
Sec. 5. .\ny college wishing to enter this
league subsequent to its organization shall be
required to pay an initiation fee of fifteen (15)
dollars.
Article III.
Sec. I. The officers shall consist of a Presi-
dent, a Vice-President, a Secretary and Treas-
urer, and a Judiciary Committee of one from
each college, the President of the league being
e«-ofEcio chairman of the committee, and
having a vote only in case of a tie.
Sec. z. All officers shall be elected by bal-
lot, except the Judiciary Committee.
Article IV.
Sec. I. The series of games shall consist of
two (a J with each college, the first game only
on each home ground, or on grounds mutually
agreed upon, counting; and the championship
shall be decided by the greatest number of
games won. In ca.se of a tie for the champion-
ship, one game shall be played by each club
thus tying with each of the other tying clubs.
Said games to be played upon grounds mu-
tually agreed upon, and within ten (lo) days
after the last schedule game.
Sec. 2. The schedule games shall be ar-
ranged by the convention at the regular meet-
ing.
Article V.
Sec. I. Each club shall receive its entire
home gate receipts and pay its own expenses.
Article VI.
Sec. I. Any club having agreed to play a
championship game with another club on a
certain day, and refusing or failing to meet
its engagement, shall, unless the failure be
caused by an unavoidable accident in travel-
ing, or the game be prevented by rain, or
postponed with the consent of the other club in
writing, forfeit its membership in the league.
A certificate, signed by at least three (3)
members of the faculty shall also be consid-
ered a sufficient excuse for failure to play a
schedule game; said certificate must be for-
warded to the other nine within one week
after failure to play.
Sec. I. In case of a postponed game, the
visiting team shall furnish three dates, one of
which shall be a Saturday falling before com-
mencement of the home nine, which dates
must be furnished within two [a) days after
the time of the game postponed.
Sec. 3. Tie games shall be considered the
same as postponed games, but shall be played
on grounds mutually agreed upon.
Article VII.
Sec. 1. Any student who is regularly a
member of any college of the league shall be
eligible as a player. Any student who shall
play on a professional base-ball nine, or who
has ever in any way received pay therefor,
shall not be eligible. Questions of eligibility
to be investigated and decided by the Judiciary
Committee on application of any college.
Article VIIL
Sec. I. The home club shall furnish the
umpire, who shall not be or not have been a
member of either contesting colleges.
Sec. I. The annual meeting of the league
shall be held at New York City on the second
Saturday in February at 10 a. m., each college
22
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
to be represented by not more than three (3)
delegates. An extra meeting may be called by
the delegates at the request of three colleges.
Article X.
Sec. I. A two-thirds (§) vote of the league
shall be required to amend this constitution.
All votes shall be taken "by colleges."
-•-•"♦-
BY-LAWS.
Sec I. It shall be the duty of the Secretary
to see to the printing of the Constitution and
By-Laws, and the proceedings of the league in
convention, together with the individual re-
cords of the previous year's players.
Sec. 2. The captain of the winning nine in
each game, shall send the score to the Secretary
of the league, within one week of the time of
playing, under a penalty of a fine of five (5)
dollars.
Sec. 3. The Secretary of the league shall
send annually to the captain of each club of
the league ten (10) blanks on which the score
shall be sent as provided for above.
Sec 4. Immediately on the completion of
all games necessary to award the champion-
ship, the formal vote of each college, signed
by at least one (i) of the delegates to the pre-
ceding convention, shall be forwarded to the
Secretary of the league for the disposition of
the pennant, the money for which shall there-
upon be forwarded to the manager of the win-
ning team.
Sec 5. The games for the championship of
this league shall be governed by the " Ameri-
can College Base-Ball Association'* rules.
We subjoin a list of the officers of the league
eUcted for the ensuing year:
President — A. C. Campbell, Lafayette.
V, President — J. H. Stbwart, Stevens.
Sec' y and Treas. — R. A. Levrned, Rutgers.
schedule of games.
Rutgers vs, Lafayette at New Brunswick, May loth.
Lafayette vs, Stevens " Easton, May 17th.
Stevens vs. Rutgers ** Hoboken, May 21st
Lafayette vs. Rutgers " Easton, May 24th.
Rutgers z/ J. Stevens ** New Brunswick, May 30th.
Stevens vs. Lafayette ** Hoboken, June 3d.
THE FRESHMAN'S SONG.
And now at Stevens I am here.
Exams, are passed, and much I fear,
That in the future there may be
More than enough to banish me.
My rosy mom in lessons long,
My noons in eating and in song.
And now to drawing I must fly
Up stairs and halls quite near the sky ;
Lines straight, and curves with shadows dark
And drawing pens that make no mark.
My afternoon with compass fool.
And wishing that I had a stool.
But when in shop I take my stand,
The flying tools on every hand,
The gases foul from foundry.
Are quite enough to sicken me.
My eve with studies, trig, and French,
My night with dreams of compound wrench.
Thus pass the days and nights away.
But plucked I'll be ? I cannot say.
A siae door — do I enter here —
And of that door I have much fear.
But then, again, I should not quake.
For I'm of the stuff an M. E. to make.
<^ »»
Stuffing Bex.
TTTHE chirpings of '84, previous to recitations,
®1® betoken great things for our Glee Club.
The pictures of the foot ball team are fine.
One of our hopefuls, Johnson, '86, has left
college.
Mr. Bang is said to be the heaviest man in
his class.
A wiser than Solomon has appeared; you
can find him in '87.
Plane trigonometry has been added to the
entrance examinations.
Mr. Walton appears with a bang; the wonder
is where did he get it ?
'85 class meetings are unique. No minutes,
and but little accomplished.
The Institute is having 80 to 90 volumes of
the Comptes Rendus bound for the library.
What has become of the committee ap-
pointed to preserve the privacy of '85 's class
room?
At the class meeting of '87, held to discuss
the need of a class pin, no definite action was
taken.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
23
The library also receives specifications and
'drawings from the patent office as soon as
published.
The classes are to be limited to 50, and not
to 40, as erroneously stated in some of the col-
lege journals.
The class of '86 enjoys the rather doubtful
honor of being the first class on which all new
Faculty schemes are sprung.
Mr. McElroy, it is believed, has the finest
mustache in the class. The reputation for the
faintest belongs to Mr. Bayless.
Considerable talk about holding the next
commencement exercises in New York is at
present agitating the Senior class.
The banjo fiend is abroad in '87; he goes
about seeking whom he may devour, bearing
his banjo and the tender name of Hart.
It is somewhat of a pleasure to see our shop
resuming its old duties ; for there is much
work to be accomplished in very little time.
The members of the two upper classes have
spent many enjoyable evenings at the recep-
tions tendered them by Prof, and Mrs. A. R.
Leeds.
Co-ordinate geometry is much liked, and
great admiration is expressed for the ingenuity
of Des Cartes, who was one of the originators
of the plan.
Ashes on slippery mornings, properly sprink-
led about the front steps, would greatly add to
the personal comfort and appearance of those
entering our halls.
The library is indebted to Prof. Thurston
for "Box on Strength of Materials," and "The
History of Steam Navigation," by Rear Ad-
miral G. H. Preble.
The Entertainment Committee report pro-
gress. They are working hard, and a very
complete and interesting programme may be
looked forward to.
The hall into which the Hudson Street base-
ment door opens is very dark. Perambulatory
exercise mi^t be materially assisted by keep-
ing the gas lighted there.
On Friday evening, Feb. 8, several of the
Seniors and Juniors were very agreeably en-
tertained at the residence of Prof. C. W. Mac
Cord. The young ladies present added not a
little to the pleasure of the party.
The exhaust of the rotary engine used in
the gallery of the shop makes such a disturb-
ance that it is with difficulty that the recita-
tions can be heard in Prof. Wall's room.
There is room for improvement here !
Bygones should be bygones ; but as to next
best place in football after Harvard, we must
remind our friends at Wesley an, that Stevens
enjoyed that honor last season, but then the
place is open for competition next fall.
Charge in Editorial Staff . — Messrs. Rice, '85,
business editor, and Boynton, 85, exchange,
editor, resigned, Messrs. Norris and Rusby
being elected from '85 to fill the vacancies.
The board now has for business editor
Kletzsch, '85, with Rusby, '85, as exchange
editor.
Prof. Leeds objects to having umbrellas
brought into class, but if he could explain the
chemical laws by which they evaporate to dry-
ness and disappear when left to the care of
the coat, umbrella and anything-you-can-lay-
your-hands-on exchange, we wouldn't say any-
thing.
It would be a pleasure to see some of the
latent literary genius about being developed
and mailed to the Board of Editors — contribu-
tions solicited — decisions as to merit reserved
by the Board. Incipient litterateurs out of
postage stamps can hand the products of their
genius to any of the editors in person.
Prof. Wood actually ventured into his class
room while the Sophomores were there. Ears,
eyes, mouths, and pencils, attested the interest
of the class in this novel innovation, and as he
withdrew, each countenance relaxed into an
expression of longing and the air seemed to
fill spontaneously with requests for more !
There have also been added to the library,
three volumes with plates of " Experiments of
M. V. Regnault," and three volumes of " Max-
well on Electricity and Magnetism," " Rankine
on Ship Building," and D. K. Clark's " Rules,
Tables and Data for Mechanical Engineers,"
were presented to the library by the alumni.
The gymnasium movement has become so
much of a necessity, that a number of the
students have procured the use of the best one
in the town. Three afternoons of each week
have been engaged, and from the interest
shown much muscle may be expected to ac-
cumulate on the bones of our undergradu-
ates.
L
H
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
Somebody sends word that a large Soph-
omore has invented something. Woe betide
the man ! He little knoweth what becometh
of inventors when the products of their me-
chanical genius shall be brought to meet the
crucial test of the , but perhaps his great
invention is only a new fetch- 'em-out to coax
into the light of day the embryo hirsute ap-
pendage of his upper lip.
OBirerRSS.
9 bvers sat beneath ilie shade
And 1 un-2 the other said :
"IIow 14-8 thai you be-9,
Have smiled npon ihis suit of mine ;
If ; a heart, it palps for you —
Thy voice is music melody—
'Tis 7, a l>e thy loved 1,3 —
Say, O nymph, will marry me?"
Then lisped she soft, "Why 13-ly."
Ex.
Maiy had a little lamp,
'Twas filled vith kerosene,
She blew right down the chimnejr
And vanished from the scene.
Ex.
Latin Professor (to student with a suspicious
looking bunch in his cheek) — "Quid est hoc I"
Student — ".ffo£ estquid." — Ex.
College students in Siam are allowed two
wives ; the Siamese way of hazing, no doubt.
— De Pauit) Monthly.
And he was wondruus wise ,
He wrote a crib upon his cuff,
Of much diminished size.
But when he felt a little bored,
Atid yawned with arms extended,
This wise man gave himself away,
And straightway was suspended.
Professor in German. — "Mr W. how would
you decline guter, alter, rother wein." Mr.
W. — "I shouldn't dechne it." — Orient.
Oh Lamp, thon art a goodly friend to me,
I lighl thee, and 'lis by thy light 1 see ;
I blow thee out, and in return some day.
Perchance thou'lt blow me up by way of pay.
With the present number of The IndicatiX^V
begins the real existence of the Exchange Dc- (
partment, one which, although founded as one
of the original departments of the paper, has
been productive of no mallir heretofore. It '
now, however, enters upon a career which we I
hope will be active and unbroken, and which |
we will endeavor to make as interesting i
attractive as our ability and the quality (
quantity of matter presented will admit.
This time, however, we will have to o
ourselves with the simple acknowledgment Of '1
a few exchanges who have favored us up to -l
the present time. These are The De Patna :'|
Monthly, The Cornell Peview, The OberliM\
Revie%i', The Lafayette College foumal, teuS'm
The Electrician.
REVIEWS.
afTHhiKlocy,):
CD. N.J. PuUidMd^
Prof. Mayer's new book is S4id to be the finett ap
ing publication ever issued in this countij, and, fm
careful inspection of the book itself, we are indina
Ihink the statement true. It consists of a serjec of
tides by the editor, and such men as John Burnnwha,
Charles Dudley Warner, etc., which have been Uln»-
Inited in the highest style of the art by the best artUts
and engravers of this counlry, and covert the field in-
dicated by ils title with great thoroughnesi. Il inclnde*
arch.-L'olc^ical, historical, and practical Biticlei on the :
sporting implements, with practical inslnicti
idetmy anil essays on sporting subjects, i
which is a great deal of <juiet humor.
The Cenlury Co., who has certainly at great re-
sources as any other house in this couniiy for the pub- '
lication of such a work, has liccn lavish with time ar * '
money spent upon it, and the result has been a ma
nificence almost unparalleled in a book of that clu
acter. The treatment of the subject* bandied by tl
artists for such a work as this is one of the moM diflU J
cult problems which arise in the artistic career, and r*. "
(juires a personal acquaintance and long- study, if the
aim is truthful delineation. In Ibis case the arttatB '
have certainly met witli succesi, and more especially la 1
Ihis noticeable, since, in some instances, the wrilen
have illustrated their own papers. As specitnen* ol
wood engravings, those contained are eijual to tbd
best work in that line, and we repeal again that It ic
the finest American sporting book we have yet m
Our professor in Mechanical Engineering
tells us that out of one huiniruti boiler explo-
sions, two are due to the abstnce of pressure
gauges, while set'en are due to defective gauges?
Would it then be safer to go without a gauge.
/r STEl'JiA'S llfntCATOi;
Stevens Institute of Technology,
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING,
FOHNDED BY THE LATE EDWIN A. STEVENS,
HO BO KEN, N. J.
HENRV MOHTON Ph. D.,
ALFRED M- MAVHR. Ph. D.,
. Ins:;"
I hbiiiie Cueiseerlog and li
r..r. Hai4. .
PffL Much. Drtwtof
. Prol. Cbcm'Mti7
'""---'•I'fci
■■'"*
STEVENS HIGH SCliUUL.
THE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT
— trf itii. —
STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,
RIVKR STREET, bei. Sih and 5th. HCEOKEX A", .'..
OPENS SEPTEMBER 17, iwi .
atntnlastioaa (or ^..^
INSTRUCTION GIVEN Ih
.lODERK UK.
ll.'iKlL,d. DRAWIBG.
JUNIOR DEPARTMENT, . - . . saCOO PER ANNUM.
SENIOR OEPARTMEKT, . - - ■ SIDO.OO PER ANNUM,
LIS,tttrlun at Eb&vooa IinItUUU.
THE
^Uevefl^ JpidiGaliSR
VoL I.
HOBOKEN, N. J., MARCH, 1884.
No. 3.
rUBUSHBD OM THB
mm OF EMH MONTH, DURING THE COLLEGE YEAR,
BY THE STUDENTS OF
^Venfl In^tifentB of Tecpologj.
suitors.
mr, . . . . C. W. WHITINO, *84.
bmn, . . A. P. KLBTZ8CH, '84.
EnmHt, .... JOHN M. RU8BY, '85.
moral SOftoro.
ROLLIN NORRIS, *85'
B. P. MOWTON. *I8. C. R. COLLINS, *86.
LADD PLUMLBY, '87.
■♦♦■
TEMIS :-Ol.lO p«r Ymt, in Advance. Singte Copy, 20 Cents.
I'mt Qfltr MM Ibnmd floM JMfer.
SmktcripHoms taken by the business manager^ who will
fmrmari the paper to any address^ prepaid^ on receipt of
Extra iopus earn be obtained at Luthin^s l^ook store^
Tki paper will be sent regularly to subscribers until
aniered t» be discontinued.
Subseribers will please immediately notify us of any
€kamg€ in their address or failure to receive the paper
ngJarfy.
Professors^ alumni, undergraduates^ and friends^ are
imvUed t» contribute literary articles, items, verses^ dis-
eussioms of current topics, and personal notes.
It is pasrtieularly desired that Alumni furnish us ivith
mU Hems of interest concerning themselves and every one
who has been connected with tie Institute,
li is tsepected thai all articles shall be written in a
€om'teoMs tong,
Tkg writers full name, as well as his NOM DE pli-MK,
tmmst oecomfany the article, as assurance of j^ood faith
mmdreBMUty; but it will not be published, unless desired.
no ediion do not necessarily endorse sentiments ex-
ptTtMJ^d except in the editorial and exehaptge columns.
FwkHsktrs ase imnted to send us books and magazines
^o^wot%C€ or review*
Errhetngffi contributions, subsctiptions, advertisements,
mmd mil other communications by mail, should be addressed
toTKR Stbvxns Indicator, Stevens Institute, Hobohen,
N.J.
AH persons wishing to secure the business patronage of
%tmdtni% emd aimmni, will find it to their advantage to
mmdfor omr advertising rates.
IN regard to the circular which has been sent
to all the colleges of the United States,
concerning athletics, Stevens has not accepted
them, but has tabled them, awaiting an answer
from Harvard, in reply to a question which
arose at the faculty meeting, held to discuss
the circular. Some of the daily papers have
erroneously stated that Stevens has accepted
the proposed regulations. We desire to in-
form all concerned to the contrary.
-•-♦-
0N Thursday evening, February 21st, the
Senior Class were tendered their first
reception this year at the house of Prof.
Thurston. The students were received by
Professor and Mrs. R. H. Thurston, who were
kindly assisted by a number of ladies and
several seniors. After spending several short
but sweet minutes in conversation, the '84
Glee Club sang several of their best pieces in
honor of the occasion. About ten o'clock a col-
lation was served to the guests present, who
were bounteously supplied by fair hands. The
ladies present added no little to the gathering ;
considerable difficulty, however, was met with
by them in managing the bashful Seniors.
Prof, and Mrs. Thurston are to be highly con-
gratulated for bringing about and successfully
terminating one of the most delightful gather-
ings which the present Seniors have as yet
engaged in. After sufficiently recovering, the
glee club gave several more of their selections,
and all dispersed with many wishes and thanks
to the originators of the pleasant affair.
TT70 the practice, to which some of the stu-
'1 dents are addicted, of using the floors of
the recitation rooms as spittoons, we would
offer an emphatic protest. To a person of
any delicacy, scarcely any habit is more dis-
26
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
gusting, and to be compelled, as some of us
sometimes are, to occupy a seat, the previous
occupant of which has been emptying his
mouth, and, from appearances, blowing his
nose on the floor, is by no means conducive
to one's peace of mind. This species of orna-
mentation, though practiced to some extent in
bar-rooms and other places frequented by un-
cultivated persons, is not yet a recognized
branch of art, and until it is, we would request
those who are devoting themselves to it to
suspend their operations in this line. The
two spittoons in the library are godsends, but
we would suggest to the Faculty the imprac-
ticability of going from the top story to the
ground floor every time we are obliged to ex-
pectorate ; could we not have one in each
class room ?
-*-♦
@N the twenty-sixth of February, in re-
sponse to a notice posted on the bulletin-
board, some twenty students assembled in
Prof. Thurston's lecture room to organize a
Lacrosse Club. Norris, '85, was elected
Chairman, and Coffee, '85, Secretary. A num-
ber of encouraging letters from prominent
lacrosse men were read, in one of which
Mr. J. R. Flannery, Secretary of the Na-
tional Lacrosse Association, ojffered to come
over to Hoboken any Saturday afternoon and
give the Stevens men some lessons. This
kind offer was accepted, and the Chairman is
to post a notice when he may be expected.
It was decided not to adopt any Constitution
or By-laws at present, but for a name, ** The
Stevens Lacrosse Association " was fixed
upon.
At the close of the meeting, fifteen or more
of the students handed in their names to the
Chairman for sticks.
We are especially gfad to see that the foot-
ball men are going into lacrosse, for it will be
excellent training for them.
■#«»
Student {trying to make an apt quotation):
** That kills two flies with one stone."
FOR the March number of the Indicator
we take great pleasure in presenting to
our readers a sixteen-paged paper, indepen-
dent of the advertising pages and cover.
It will be remembered by those interested in
our welfare, that our initial number was very
uninteresting, containing only foot-ball matter,
with little else.
This was due to three reasons : first, that
our time was so occupied in starting the paper
and getting it in running order, that little was
left to devote to writing ; second, that the
foot-ball matter and records of games would
be interesting and valuable to refer to later,
while they would not be acceptable reading in
another issue ; and third, that we had con-
siderable trouble in organizing our board of
editors, the two from the class of '85 having
resigned, thus leaving their work on the shoul-
ders of the others.
With our second copy, however, there came
an improvement — at least we think so, and
have been led to believe it from the remarks
of others ; but that made us fear the more for
the success of what was to follow, for a de-
crease in any way is most disastrous ; yet we
cannot always increase, or even remain at the
height of whatever success we may reach;
With our third issue, however, the one which
we are now pleased to bring out, there still
comes an improvement, and with the aid of
students, alumni and friends, we will endeavor
not to fall back. Our advertisers are increas-
ing in number, and subscriptions are slowly
coming in. We hope to see these latter " brace
up." Most of the college papers are acknowl-
edging us in their exchange columns, criticis-
ing us both favorably and otherwise.
TTTHE proposed regulations for Intercolle-
1 giate Athletic Sports are something
which have long been needed. We do not say
that these are the precise rules that we have
been waiting for, but the spirit is there. It
is unfortunate for some of the smaller insti-
tutions of learning that they have no gym-
nasiums in which to keep up their physical
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
27
health during the season in which it is im-
possible to practice out of doors ; to these
the proposed rules will be a benefit, as it will
increase their shares in a match game of any
kind with their larger and more fortunate
sister colleges, who have at present not only
good gymnasiums, but professional trainers to
care for their physical needs. It is rather too
much to exf>ect a team selected from two hun-
dred students, and not having the benefits of
professional training, to compete, with any
chance of success, with a team selected from
fourteen hundred, and with every possible ad-
vantage.
Of course we do not expect these large and
wealthy colleges to give up their many advan-
tages and come down to our unfortunate con-
dition; but we think that some sort of equality
should exist between any two competing teams,
and that the college athletics should be in-
cluded in the college work as part and parcel
of the course ; not making, as seems to be the
case in some institutions, an almost separate
department of athletics, which is sheltered
under the college name, but in reality being
an almost complete department in itself, which*
is a refuge for physically strong students^ who
manage, by a great deal of hard work, to re-
main in one class for some time, paying, how-
ever, a large amount of time to athletics, to
such good effect that it is good for the reputa-
tion of the college team to retain them as long
as possible. The fifth resolution of the pro-
posed rules provides for this; and this rule, we
think, ought to be embodied in any set of rules
which the college may hereafter adopt.
Rule I will, no doubt, have a very good effect
on the athletically inclined student, who uses
the fact of his being on one of the teams to do a
large amount of unnecessary cutting, thereby
getting the team somewhat into disgrace.
Rule 2 is the rule wnich is most needed in
our colleges.
The association of professionals with our
games is very much to be regretted, bringing,
as it does, a most undesirable factor into
what was originally meant to be friendly com-
petition. The foremost idea in a professional's
mind is anything but friendliness toward his
competitors, and he is very apt to inculcate a
like idea into the minds of those under his
charge.
Rule 3 will ever be a disputed point, which
we would like to see settled once for all, and
a binding definition given to the word amateur.
Rule 6 is rather too binding, as it compels
the teams to play on poor grounds, when good
ones are near at hand, and can be had at a
small expense when gate-money is to be had,
although the money question is one which re-
quires very delicate handling. ' As we have no
boats, Rule 7 does not affect us at all.
In regard to the eighth, it would be neces-
sary to have a sufficient number of colleges in
the proposed league, for a league it will be,
to insure a goodly number of games.
0NE of the first things which will be
looked for in this number of the Indica-
tor will undoubtedly be an editoral on what
shall we call it, physical culture ? Perhaps
that is a rather high-sounding name, but it is
the origin of our remarks, and a subject which
is now agitating the students of the Institute
and being agitated by them.
Every one who has paid any attention to
his or her physical education will have heard
of Mr. Wm. Blaikie, the author of " How to
get Strong," — that very excellent book that
should be found in every household ; and will
probably know that he is a prominent New
York lawyer, up to his eyes, as he says, in
his business, while lending considerable time
and energy to the promotion of that most im-
portant but much neglected branch of Ameri-
can education, physical culture.
He is personally known by several of the
students of the Institute, and through them,
those who are interested in athletics, were
enabled to secure his valuable services for a
few hours Friday afternoon, February 29th.
Prof. Wall's lecture room was obtained, and all
students were excused from work so as to be
able to attend the lecture. About a hundred
28
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
and twenty-five were present, including several
professors, and these enjoyed a very pleasing
and instructive discourse on physical culture.
Mr. Blaikie is a graduate of Harvard College,
having while there taken an active part in all
athletics, and especially in rowing.
Since then he has followed up and pushed
ahead the subject of athletic exercise, and is
consequently a very able person to lecture to
a body of students.
In his little talk to us, he began by dividing
education into three parts — mental, religious
and physical. Taking the first of these, he
gave a very interesting account of the growth
of this branch of education from the little
school house, which was the original Harvard,
up to the present time, giving statistics as to
the number of teachers, schools, and pupils
engaged, and the money which has been ex-
pended and is being devoted to it.
Following these remarks, he said that not
much less of the wealth of this world has been
used for religious training, while little or
nothing has been given to that most impor-
tant branch of physical culture.
He then proved very satisfactorily and em-
phatically that this physical culture, which is
so much neglected in our country, is of the
gravest importance, and should be one of the
first considerations in every one's life. This
he did by citing numerous examples, which
have come up before him or before those
with whom he is acquainted, and which
served to illustrate each and every point as it
was brought up. These points were : Any
part of the body can be developed ; symmetri-
cal development should be aimed at by all ; a
teacher in physical culture is as important as
one in other branches ; the only correct way
to exercise is with the clothes off ; and athle-
tic exercise is conducive to good brain work
and health. He closed by offering to answer
or try to answer any question that might be
asked. One of these was : " How can we de-
velop a gymnasium ?*' This caused a great
deal of laughter and applause ; but he gave us
several ideas on the subject, one of which
was that a subscription list be circulated
among our students, professors, alumni, and
friends, to see what could be done in a finan-
cial way. This was started, perhaps hastily,
by a student, as soon as the lecture was over,
and resulted in obtaining promises for more
than $200 within a few hours. Now let this
list be put under the management of an ac-
tive committee appointed by the athletic asso-
ciation, and very likely it will result in some-
thing worth talking of. ** Patience and
perseverance will accomplish all things"; and
if we make up our minds to have a gymna-
sium, we can do so ; of course, not one like
Harvard's, or that at Lehigh, but such a build-
ing and containing such apparatus as will do
us as much practical good.
We could have our professor and a regular
course of training like or similar to that
adopted at the above named universities. At
these places, there is given to each student a
hand-book, which is used in connection with
a system of examinations by means of which
the physical condition of each student is ac-
curately ascertained. The relative propor-
tions of the different parts of the body ;
the undue development of certain ones ; the
comparative size of body and limbs ; varia-
tions of height, breadth, weight, and muscular
strength, from the normal standard for a
given age, must all be taken into account in
prescribing any useful course of physical
training. This information, together with a
variety of facts concerning personal history,
bone and muscle measurements, and acquired
or inherited tendencies to chronic or func-
tional diseases, shows at once the immediate
needs of the person under advice.
After the condition of the individual has
been ascertained, the necessary apparatus will
be marked, and the weight, the number of
times, and the rate of movement will be
clearly indicated throughout the book. The
remarks on exercise, diet, air, sleep, and like
subjects, which are contained in this little
book, are supplemented by a course of lec-
tures.
THE S TE VENS INDICA TOR.
29
p)ROMPTED by the action of the faculty
" toward the resolutions regulating ath-
letics, which were submitted to the college by
the Harvard and Princeton advisory com-
mittee, we desire to suggest some changes in
the roster, which the faculty might take into
view at the time when the above rules come up
for their final consideration. The reasons upon
which these rules are based, and the number
of conventions lately held, which had for their
object the advancement of physical culture,
show that athletics have become an important
factor with every American college. It has
furthermore been set forth, in the preamble of
Rule III. of these rules, that they have become
an important question with each and every
student.
Though these rules may seem beneficial to
the professors of the colleges by whom they
have been drafted, yet are we, who have never
overstepped our bounds, who have not as yet
employed professional trainers, who have not
played with professional teams, who have not
played on any other but college grounds, and
who have not caused men to remain at
Stevens for the sake of taking part directly or
indirectly in athletics ; are we to be bound
by rules and regulations as long as we remain
within the required limits ? We have held a
fair position in athletics among our sister col-
leges ; there is, however, no reason why we
should not try and improve it. This can only
be done by securing the assistance and co-
operation of the faculty, and not when they
place restrictions on the students which are
distasteful to them. From time to time new
studies are added to the course, always ex-
pecting a little more work, and encroaching
further and further upon the few free hours
that remain to the student, not even con-
sidering whether that time is used for study or
in recreation. Why not allow certain hours
each day for the student to recuperate his
physical condition, in order to be better pre-
pared to meet successfully the laborious a.nd
more difficult problem constantly looming up
before him ?
Even though the course be increased, it will
not be advisable to extend the lectures, recita-
tions, and laboratory work to more than six
hours each day. This, we think, is the maxi-
mum limit at Stevens, as expressed by some
of the members of the faculty ; but why not
arrange them according to a more systematic
method, that is, of having the lectures and
recitations begin for all classes at a fixed time
in the morning, and the drawing, laboratory,
and shop work hours at a definite time in the
afternoon ? As at present, our college duties
are such as to admit of but little outside occu-
pation during the day in the shape of study or
athletics. Let us suppose that the hours are
changed from the present disorderly condition
to nine to twelve in the morning, and one
to three or four in the afternoon. That is, the
college duties be suspended for one hour only
at noon. The disadvantages thus incurred
would be but few ; the advantages many. Per-
haps one of the former would be that the
professors now living out of Hoboken would
have to start earlier in order to begin their
work at nine ; however, the hours might even
be so arranged that it would not affect these.
The advantages would be, in the first place,
in having regular hours for work, that great
desideratum which is the aim of all institutions
of the government and of learning. Students
that are continually late and absent ought to
be made to be punctual at early recitations ;
if they cannot be at college at nine, one can
hardly expect them to be at work at seven and
eight after graduation. If college duties were
suspended promptly at noon, it would cause
the recitations to begin on time, so that the
time allotted to one department will not be
taken up by another. This running the reci-
tations and lectures over the hour does not only
considerably shorten some of our most import-
ant branches, but it also causes a disturbance
by the passing of the classes through the halls,
to the annoyance of the other classes attending
recitations, thus using several minutes of their
time. The only way of remedying this evil
would be to sound a large gong (to be heard
30
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
over the entire building), at the conclusion of
the hour, to dismiss the classes, and one five
minutes later to resume work. There are some
gongs placed about the Institute for this pur-
pose, but this is where their utility ends, for
they never ring on time. Again, some classes
being detained until one o'clock and later, are
much disturbed by those dismissed at twelve,
by the continual passing of the latter through
the halls, so that it becomes often an impossi-
bility, though sitting in the front row, to hear
the professor lecturing. Again, being dismissed
at all hours causes great annoyance to the stu-
dents in receiving their meals. Those who are
dismissed early require their meals early ; oth-
ers, finishing theirs hours later, receive theirs
correspondingly later, and the result is, a cold
meal, and, as it oftentimes happens, " getting
left " altogether.
Let us now consider the hours in the after-
noon. Some professors resume work at one
o'clock, others at two, and still others at half
after two. The time is thus, in some cases,
shortened to about three-quarters of an hour
in which to prepare one's self for the labora-
tory and shop. In the season of out-door
sports many wish to be excused before the
close of the afternoon hours, in order to avail
themselves of base-ball and foot-ball practice,
or in order to see the match games which are
to be played. This would entirely be done
away with if some other system were adopted.
With the number of students now at Stevens,
there is no doubt that the gymnasium which
we now use could be secured during the win-
ter, by the more enterprising, for an hour or
more each day during the afternoon.
At Harvard, no match games of any kind
are allowed before four, thus giving them am-
ple time after that hour to practice together.
At Yale, no recitations or lectures occupy the
time between the hours of two and four, and
the members are conveyed in coaches to the
athletic grounds, two miles distant, and re-
turned in time for the four o'clock lectures.
At Lafayette, no match games are allowed on
the home grounds, with other colleges, except-
ing on Saturdays ; however, there are no reci-
tations between one and four in the afternoon,
which time may be used in studying or ath-
letics. No doubt there are other colleges in
which rules similar to these exist. We, how-
ever, have no such rules, and no time is allot-
ted to us in which we could practice together,
the teams practicing when the professors feel
inclined to excuse them. Match games are
promiscuously arranged, and the captains have
the members excused who happen to be en-
gaged on days upon which the matches fall.
As each class at Stevens is free one afternoon
a week, why not change the roster so that all
classes are off at once, and allow matches to
be played on that afternoon and Saturdays ?
We doubt whether the time which would have
to be sacrificed by one or other of the depart-
ments through such changes would exceed
that which is lost by the number of students
who shirk work. In this age of experimenta-
tion, a trial of one term on the above plan
could certainly not do much harm; should it,
however, be found to be injurious or detrimen-
tal to the interests of the college, there always
remains one alternative, and that is to fall back
on the present system.
We must heartily thank the faculty for the
kindness displayed toward the students by
the consideration of former proposed changes,
and we doubt not that the above, when care-
fully considered, will lead to a result more con-
ducive to the interests of the college, and to
athletics at Stevens.
^■^ »■»■
u
Scene: The Bakery, 12:30 p. m. — Baker:
Well, young man, what have you had ?"
Freshman : " Well, lemme see. I've had
two tarts, one pretzel, half an apple-pie, an*
one of them, an' two of them, an' two of
them."
«^ » »
Professor, while explaining the cycles met
with in the combination of Adiabatic and Iso-
thermal curves of expansion, numbers them
I., II., III., etc.
Funny Senior : " Wouldn't that second one
be a bicycle ?" The class groans.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
31
OBITUARY NOTICE.
Mr. Wilmer G. Cartwright, of the class
of 1882, and for two years an assistant in the
Department of Engineering, and assistant in
charge of the Mechanical Laboratory of that
department of the Stevens Institute of Tech-
nology, died in Jersey City on Saturday, the
23d of February, of typhoid pneumonia, after
an illness of about two weeks' duration.
Mr. Cartwright was a native of Oswego, N.
Y., and was 28 years of age. He evinced great
fondness for scientific pursuits at a very early
age, and was also much interested in the con-
structive branches of engineering. He was
especially fond of chemistry, and took the
Priestly Prize in the Department of Chemistry
at the Institute. He entered the Institute at
a more advanced age than usual, having been
in business before coming to Hoboken. After
graduation he began a special course of post
graduate study, which was given up when the
work of the Mechanical Laboratory became so
engrossing as to take all available time. Dur-
ing his connection with the Mechanical Lab-
oratory he made some peculiarly interesting
investigations, including a study of the distri-
bution of heat, in useful work and wastes, in
gas engines of several sizes and different
makes. He was engaged at the time of his
death in an investigation of the efficiency of
worm and of spur gearing, and had nearly com-
pleted one line of experiment.
Mr. Cartwright was a quiet, steady, reliable
worker, taking real interest in the problems
presented in the course of his business, and
exhibiting great intelligence, ingenuity and skill
m their solution. Professionally, he was a man
of unusual promise.
His personal character was also admirable ;
but his quietness, reticence, and repugnance
of all self assertion were such that only his
most intimate friends were aware of the excel-,
lence and the strength of his character. Kind-
ness toward his juniors and subordinates, re-
spect and consideration for those who were
his seniors in age or his official superiors, ear-
nest affection for his family and friends, a high
sense of honor, appreciation of trusts confided
to him, with great self respect, were distin-
guishing characteristics of the man. He was
honorable and faithful, of high moral princi-
ple, and of unexceptionable habits. The world
can ill spare such men.
INSPECTION TOUR OF THE CLASS
OF '84.
In accordance with the notice printed m the
last number of the Indicator, the Senior
Class made its visit of inspection to the works
of the Bethlehem Iron Company and also the
Lehigh Zinc and Iron Works on Saturday,
March ist.
The Lehigh Valley Railroad very kindly
placed a car at their disposal, and carried
them from Jersey City to Bethlehem, thus
making the trip to and fro exceedingly enjoy-
able. On the arrival of the train at Bethle-
hem, one of the locomotives of the Bethlehem
Iron Company was attached to the special
car and moved it to the works, thus saving
the students an unpleasant walk, and landing
them in a body where they wished to be.
Prof. Denton then leading the way, the
class moved on to the large converters, one of
which they saw operate, and then walked
over to the Eagle Hotel, where they enjoyed
their dinner.
By the judicious management of Prof. Den-
ton, the class was divided into three sections,
one under his guidance, another under Mr.
Riesenberger, and the third under Messrs.
Kletzsch and Jacobus, two members of '84,
who went over the works the day before.
These sections were quite easily handled, con-
taining only ten or twelve students, and a very
complete inspection was made by each.
These works consist of a Bessemer plant, two
large rolling mills, six blast furnaces, and also
the necessary foundry, machine shop, etc., for
construction and repairs. With the network
of railroads surrounding this part of Bethle-
hem, these works have ample facilities for the
transportation of fuel and ores from their own
and other mines to the works, and outlets for
the distribution of the products. The con-
struction of the Bethlehem Iron Works was
commenced, in i860, with the erection of an
iron rail mill, a puddle mill, and one blast
furnace. In 1863 the second blast furnace
was built, and No. 3 was added by purchase
from another company. The Bessemer works
and new rail mill commenced building in
1870, and operations in the former were begun
in 1873. The spiegeleisen furnace was built
in 1874, and in the same year the construc-
tion of the two large blast furnaces, which are
among the most noteworthy features of the
place, was commenced. These furnaces,
known as Nos. 5 and 6, were put in blast in
March, 1876, and March, 1877, respectively.
32
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
The entire plant has been erected from de-
signs made under the superintendence of Mr.
John Fritz, the machinery, engines, roofs, etc.,
belonging to the new portion of the works
having been built, with a few exceptions, in
the ma,chine shops and foundry belonging to
the works.
The plant may be generally described as
follows : All the buildings are constructed of
hard gray sandstone. On all the newer build-
ings the roof frames are of iron and the cover-
ings of slate. The original iron rail and
puddle mills are located between the Lehigh
Valley Railroad and the river, the puddling
end of the mill being on the river bank. Next
below these are situated the machine shop,
253 feet in length by 64 feet in width, and
the foundry, T07 feet in length by 64 feet in
width. Then come five of the blast furnaces,
viz.: No. I, the original, and its companion.
No. 2, now enlarged ; the little spiegel fur-
nace. No. 4, and the new ones, Nos. 5 and 6 ;
No. 3, the one purchased, being located a
few hundred yards below these and on the
other side of the track. The blowing and
pumping engines and electric lighting plant
are in one house, under one management, and
entirely removed from the dust of the fur-
naces— an important practical consideration, by
the interposition of the stock house, common
to all furnaces. Steam is brought to them
from boilers some distance away, but the loss
is trifling in large and well-jacketed pipes.
The steel mill is a large and massive stone
structure, having numerous and uniform arched
openings in its side, and an iron and slate roof
with a continuous lantern. There are two
wings on either side, each in feet wide and
138 feet long. The total length of the main
building is 931 feet, and its width is in feet.
In this building there are two pairs of 7 ton
Bessemer converters, with their cupolas, ca-
pable of turning out 17,000 tons of ingots per
month. There is a good sized stock yard
around the cupola end of the mill. The
blowing and pumping engines are in the wing
next the railroad, while the opposite wing is
just being fitted up with new open hearth fur-
naces.
In front of the converters, and on either
side of the main building, are two rows of
Siemen's gas furnaces for heating ingots, with
their charging and drawing apparatus. In the
centre is a 32 inch three high blooming train.
The bloom heating furnaces occupy the re-
maining central part of the main. Across the
main building, between the other wings, there
is being set up the largest stand of rolls for a
blooming train in the world, and is to be
driven by a 4,000 horse power engine, having
an enormous fly wheel weighing 90 tons.
A steam hammer for trimming blooms, cut-
ting them into required lengths, etc., is placed
outside but a few paces from this large en-
gine. On the other side of the railroad tracks
are the boilers and producers, standing below
the level of the tracks, being thus conveni-
ently situated for firing. The three high 24
inch rail and beam train is 120 feet long, and
had an engine at each end, so that two sets of
roughers and finishers were worked at the
same time and at the required speed. One
of these engines has now been taken down,
and the train considerably extended into one
of the wings. These are then to be run by
the largest horizontal engine ever constructed,
the foundation for which has been already
laid. This is being built at the Bethlehem
works, has 3 high and 3 low pressure cylinders,
and is to generate 10,000 horse power. It is
now in course of construction, and will require
another year for completion. The other wing
at this end of the building is reserved for large
and small merchant and special trains.
The rails coming from the train are carried
on rollers to the saws. These can be placed
at any distance from each other, and being
driven by the same shaft, the required accur-
acy in the length of the rails is insured. The
finishing end of the building is so long that 60
foot rails can be readily sawn, hot straight-
ened, cold straightened, and punched, neither
operation interfering with the others. The
machine for bending the rails in the opposite
direction to that which they take in cooling,
attracted much attention of the students, and
was much admired for its simplicity by them.
Furnace No. 3, which is 50 feet in height,
is known as the " Northampton Furnace." It
produces 160 tons per week.
No. 4 is 23 feet high, and is used in the
manufacture of spiegeleisen. So also are No.
5 and No. 6, they being 70 feet high, and pro-
ducing each 350 tons per week. The fur-
naces are all worked with taps, and Nos. 5 and
6 are provided with Lurmann's closed front.
The usual charge, when using 50 per cent,
ore, is :
Anthracite 5>2oo lbs.
Ore 4,000 "
Limestone varying in quantity from 50 to
60 per cent, of the charge, as circumstances
require. The boiler and boiler houses are
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
JO
placed between the furnace and the river. The
setting of these is peculiar, and perhaps the
only one that provides completely for expan-
sion in every direction without subjecting the
boiler to injurious strains. Each is suspended
by 1 6 brackets, and these are upheld by four
equalizing beams, which rest on two heavy
girders extending across the building.
There are two main batteries, each contain-
ing 7 boilers. The upper ones are 70 feet
long by 40 inches in diameter. The lower
shells are 30 inches in diameter. The blow-
ing engines are of two types, compound and
single, and are 6 in number. The compound
engine has a 30 inch high pressure and 54 inch
low pressure cylinder by 80 inches stroke.
The air cylinder is 80 inches in diameter, and
the three pistons are attached to the same
cross head. The plunger air pumps are 20
inches in diameter by 36 J^ inches stroke.
The cut off is so arranged that the steam ex-
pands four times. These engines usually
make 20 revolutions per minute ; have run with
24, and may with safety run faster. The
usual blast pressure for anthracite coal in the
large furnaces is 10 lbs. per square inch.
This t)rpe of engine was designed by Mr.
John Fritz, and embraces some novelties of
arrangement which results fully justify. The
blowing cylinder is placed at the fly wheel
end, a reversal of the usual arrangement.
This is done for the purpose of placing the
steam cylinders and their valves, which most
need attention, where they can be conveni-
ently got at. The blowing cylinder, which
requires least attention, occupies a less free
space between the shaft cross head and fly
wheel. In the puddle mill there are 14 double
puddling furnaces and a heating furnace of
the ordinary type, and boilers are set over
all of these. There is also a 12-inch train,
making this mill compact and convenient.
The double furnaces are now being re-
placed by improved ones, known there under
the name of ** Stubblemeyer's Monkey."
These save over 33 per cent, of fuel, and are
built upon the principle of flame deflection.
The production of the puddle mill is about
2,500 tons of iron rails per year.
After going all through the Bethlehem Iron
Works and seeing all that was to be seen in
so short a visit, the class next went to the
Lehigh Zinc Works, above mentioned, which
are located but a short distance from the iron
works.
The products turned out here are metallic
zinc, oxide of zinc, and spiegeleisen.
The latter is made from the residue of the
ore after the zinc has been removed by sub-
limation. The oxide is made by mixing
finely crushed ore, which contains about 15
per cent, of zinc, with equal portions of coal.
It is then placed upon a bed of live coal in
furnaces which connect with an iron pipe
leading to an immense chimney. The sub-
stances driven off by the heat, and containing
large quantities of oxide of zinc in the state
of very fine powder, are carried into this chim-
ney, where they are separated by their weight,
the oxide rising and being carried further by
a fan, while the impurities settle at the bot-
tom. After going through the fan, the oxide
passes through a large chamber with thin sides
so as to be cooled, after which it is distrib-
uted into a series of pipes. These have open-
ings in their lower sides, about which are
suspended long bags. The air and gas is thus
allowed to escape, while the oxide is caught.
After this it is ground.
Metallic zinc is obtained by heating the ore
in clay retorts, when it comes off in a vapor
and is condensed.
» ♦ » *
EXAMINATIONS.
Occasionally we are pleased to observe,
in newspapers from various parts of the
country, a notice of the adoption of a resolu-
tion, by the Board of Education, providing
for the omission of the examinations now held
semi-yearly and otherwise making the pro-
motion of the student depend on his record
as made during the term.
This is a move forward in the right direc-
tion ; a move long advocated by physi-
cians and the greatest thinkers, and we think
the 19th century is doomed to witness the
day when every high school and college in the
country will base promotion on the steady,
healthy everyday work, and not on the un-
natural hot house preparation that is specially
made for the final week.
The barbarous practice of examinations is
synonymous with the old Indian custom of
running the gauntlet ; each professor taking
his whack at the victim as he runs the line.
That our present age, which we consider civil-
ized, is not above such inhumanity, is surely
lamentable. The time has come for a halt,
and it cannot be made too soon.
The evil of the present high pressure system
does not He in the course of study, the hours
of session, or methods of teaching. Nothing
34
THE STEVENS INDICATOR,
is to be complained of on that score. The
student accepts those when he becomes such ;
the damage follows after.
For a month preceding examination week,
he is in a constant state of high excitement
and perpetual fever. The anxiety that he
will not " pass " falls on good and poor stu-
dent alike, and no matter what the average of
term work has been, the victim is in a state of
nervousness and apprehension that follows all
the hours of waking, and rides, like a night-
mare, across the hours of sleep. All time is
given to study and none to exercise or relaxa-
tion. His capacity is strained to its utmost,
his nerves are screwed to their highest pitch,
and the damage done to mind and health can
scarcely be overestimated. The professor usual-
ly does not see the effects of overwork ; but go
to the parents or those intimate with the
student, and you will get a deplorable account
of sick headaches, nervousness, and general in-
disposition. Or, if the testimony of these is
not sufficient, consult some of the oldest and
wisest physicians of every college district, and
you will obtain instances ad infinitum of the
evils of examination.
Omit the examinations. Shut off some of
the steam ; work the engine more economically,
and relieve the student and the professor as
well. That the steady work of the term or
reviews, and not the ** cram " of a few weeks,
should tell, are our earnest convicti(*ns.
H. A. Westminster.
-♦-♦-
THE REIGNING CRAZE.
Did any one say banjo ? We hope not ; at
least, we hope for his own sake that he did not
say it loud enough to be heard, for his death
would be on his own hands. It is almost
madness for a lover of that style of music to
attempt to make a banjo ; some time ago noth-
ing would have been thought of it, but now !
the questions that are asked are enough to
drive even the strongest minds off their cen-
tres. What kind of a staff are you going to
put on ? What size rim, and where did you
get it ? Did Hawkridge make it for you ? Going
to put on raised frets ? Where did you get your
brackets made, and how many are you going
to put on ? These are a few of the queries
put to the brave young man who starts to
make a banjo.
There was a time when you could scarcely
go down to the ferry without meeting some
enterprising young instrument maker, walking
proudly along with a banjo rim in his hand
just from New York, where it had been
nickeled. But now everything is changed ;
you meet a fellow student coming from the
ferry with a suspicious looking bundle under
his coat ; you sidle over to him to pass the
compliments of the day, but he seems to be in
an awful hurry — can't stop for anything ; you
begin to think he is very uncivil ; but he isn't,
ril tell you what he is, though ; he is making
a banjo, and don't want any one to know it.
We don't know how long this craze is going
to last, but we saw a notice on the bulletin
board the other day of a banjo for sale. Two
of the sophs, must have gone into the business,
judging from the number of staves recently
seen in their possession.
<^ » »
THE STEVENS HAT.
The college hat is supposed to be a soft felt
of a bright red color, and we think that it
is about as sensible a hat as can be obtained ;
yet, they are but little worn ; why, it is diffi-
cult to tell. The hat is a comfortable one,
and also inexpensive — just the thing to wear
about in the shops and foundry. It can be
sat upon, dropped on the dusty floor, used as
a football, and yet its purpose as a hat will
not be injured to any considerable extent. It
has but one color, is not easily confused
with any other college cap, and possesses a
kind of character of its own. The objection
is raised against it that it is nothing but a ten-
nis hat, and is worn by many young men who
are not college men. It would not be diffi-
cult, however, to have some distinguishing
mark added to the simple red, which w^ould
make its identity certain, such as a circle of
white or black on the crown. Stevens should
have a hat, and until something better is pro-
posed, the red soft felt should be worn by
all the students.
< < » »
THE NATURAL PERVERSITY OF
STUDENTS.
Are all students bad ? Yes, they are ; they
are born that way — at least three-fifths are,
% and the others are made bad by association
with those who inherit the peculiar faculty of
having a little fun out of everything that turns
up. A few, however, we do not say anything
about, as they are above reproach. The fol-
lowing incident, we confidently hope, will
prove beyond a question the natural charac-
teristics of the above mentioned four-fifths of
college student"
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
35
A certain professor having in the course of
one of his lectures to use a very explosive
compound, took care — of course unknowingly
— to leave a large quantity of the compound
on some filter papers, saying, at the same
time : " If any of the students should happen
to carry any of this compound away, be very
careful, as it is frightfully explosive, and above
all, do not take any of it into Prof. Woods*
room."
Unfortunately for the good effect of the last
part of the advice, the class, on leaving the
chemistry room, went direct to Prof. Woods*
room ; it was not our fault, because the roster
directed us that way, and somehow or other
some of the explosive found its way to the
floor of the room. I can't for the life of me
think how it got there, but it was there, and
announced its presence in a very emphatic
manner every time a student's foot came in
contact with it. Of course nobody laughed,
but tried to look as solemn as the occasion
demanded.
Every now and then reports of all degrees
of loudness were heard in the hall and in our
recitation room. We are anxiously waiting
for an invitation to visit President Morton in
his office, although, of course, we did not have
anything to do with it.
Em.
< # »»
AN EPISODE.
It was a cold and wintry night, and the
snow, falling thick and fast, was picked up
by the wind before it could touch the ground,
and whisked and twirled around the comers,
into cracks and across the pavements, until it
was finally drifted into the gutters and heaped
up against the houses on either side of the
street. Scarcely a sound could be heard, save
the continuous soft noise of the falling snow.
Once in a while sleigh bells would ring out
upon the air, and a sleigh would drive swiftly
by, as if the riders were afraid lest they should
be covered up by the ever-shifting drifts. The
flickering street-lamps and the lights from the
windows of the houses had but little effect in
piercing through the whirling clouds of snow,
so that the darkness of night settled down
with more than its usual gloom.
The town clock had just struck ten, when
a street door opened and a well-wrapped form
stepped out into the darkness and cold. He
takes his way up Hudson street, and by his
manly tread, battling his way against the driv-
ing storm, we know him to be one of our noble
Freshmen. His course seems to be directed
toward the college building. Can he be going
there at this time of night ? No ; for he passes
by, and, continuing his way, evidently reaches
his destination. He pauses before a hand-
some stone front house ; he mounts the steps
and rings the door-bell. Ah, boys ! can you
not tell by his assured and yet hesitating
movements that he is going to visit his best
girl ? Hark ! he hears the footsteps of his
love coming to open the door for him. He
steps back to stamp some of the snow from
his feet, but that step was one inch too far
back ; he tumbles down into a drift at one
side of the porch. Just then the wind blows
an immense avalanche of snow off the roof of
the house and completely buries him. The
door opens, and a maiden peers out into the
darkness. Alas ! she sees not the well-known
form of her lover. Can her ear have deceived
her? She waits a few moments, listens in-
tently, and then apparently convinced, returns
into the house and closes the door.
Meantime a struggle in the snow-drift is
going on ; the bank of snow heaves and lifts
itself as if it were alive. At last our friend
forces his way out and rolls upon the pave-
ment free from his burden of snow. At this mo-
ment a Hoboken policeman comes along, and
seeing a young man lying upon his back,
naturally thinks that the man in this strange
position is drunk, and, lifting him roughly by
the collar, exclaims : " Ach, I have ye now,
ye spalpeen. Come along with ye, or it's me
that will give ye a taste of me club!" Next
morning a sad young man is seen leaving the
police station, and is heard to mutter, as he
walks toward his boarding-house, " It's a cold
day when I go to see Minnie again!"
Albitan.
Prof.: " Well, you take these rings and join
them end to end." The extensibility of this
imaginative brain is due probably to its great
ductility.
» ^ » «
Prof.: "Well, Mr. Blank, have you finished
your problem ?"
Mr. Blank : " I have finished it, sir ; but
am not quite certain it is correct."
Prof.: "You ought to know, since you had
your book open, and all the back of the class
to help you."
36
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
Sbuiiing Bex.
Gymnasium, where is it ?
"Wait till the clouds roll by."
Preps ! Stay on your own side of the fence.
Our " battery " for the nine is doing good
work.
The Glee Club is in better condition than it
has been for years.
One of Hoboken's lucid signs : — " Boots
blacked inside.**
Some of the Seniors look solemncholy —
skating is about over.
The time is near at hand when the midnight
oil will begin to volatilize.
Lacrosse has been undertaken with suffi-
cient energy to assure success.
If Prof. Wall is correct, surely we have a
great " inspiration " among us.
Some of the Sophomores are working on
their third drawing for the year.
Burhom, '85, was seriously injured by the
exploding of a crucible in the laboratory.
Dr. Mary Walker rides a bicycle now. She
uses a 64-inch machine — so rumor has it.
There would be some interesting notes
from the alumni — ^if we had an alumni editor.
It was curious to see how many athletes we
were going to have after Prof. Blaikie's lec-
ture.
Why don't the Freshmen come out with
high hats and canes — time's up —the " 2 2d " is
past.
Boynton, '85, has left college and is taking
a special course in chemistry under Prof.
Leeds.
A new cheer and a neat serviceable college
cap would be improvements for the coming
season.
Ed. P. Thomson was the first to respond
to the circulars issued by the Business Editor
asking for subscriptions.
Each class should have a separate room for
its own use. The lower classes greatly feel
the need of this change.
Prof. Mayer has completed his very inter-
esting lectures on magnetism, and has taken
up the subject of electricity.
The fertile imagination of French writers is
remarkable. If any one doubts the statement,
let him ask a member of '87.
Mr. Beard is often seen wearing the Stevens
hat. It is hoped that many members of the
Freshman class will follow his example.
Our columns ought to receive some valu-
able matter from Seniors, whose time is less
occupied than that of the other classmen.
One of the Freshies was brought into
prominence lately as one of the "Babes in
the Woods " at an entertainment in town.
Personal ease in the Reception Room, when
the engine is running in the basement, is at as
great a discount as a trip on the James Rum-
sey.
A Freshman, returning late from New York
one evening (church night), attracted consid-
erable attention by his endeavors to walk up
a lamp post.
A student wants to procure a comet ; a
student wants to sell a flute ; the orchestra
wants a cometist. For information see Local
Editor, '^(i,
A member of the Faculty was actually
heard to inquire the way to Prof. Wall's
room. Here is an opportunity foe illustrated
sign posts.
The young and tender Lehigh Burr gives
much useful advice as to the best method for
running a paper. Experience is an immense
instructor !
A subscription list has been started for the
new gymnasium.. It is an object worthy of
liberal attention by the students, alumni and
all our friends.
Some few still appear to remain ignorant of
the purpose the coat-room was provided for.
Mr. Donaldson ought to have an artistic notice
put up on the door.
Some of the ladies at '84's reception re-
marked that the Seniors are bashful. '84 feels
proud of her modesty ; but would like to hear
their opinion of the Juniors.
Mr. Page, of '87, is quite ill with the mea-
sles, and his pleasant face is much missed by
his fellow students. It is hoped that he will
soon be back in his old place.
The Senior Class have been excused from
Kinematics, part of Prof. Thurston's work,
designing for Prof. Carr, and there will be no
thesis work until third term.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
37
Prof. Wood now lectures to the Freshman
class once a week on the subject of Mathe-
matics. These lectures are thoroughly en-
joyed by every member of the class.
A youthful Sophomore, fearing his talents
would be exposed in the columns of the In-
dicator, threatened to " slug '* each member
of the Board of Editors respect/«//y.
Mr. Parsons, of '87, has had a severe attack
of malaria. We are glad to state that he has
returned to college, and, although not yet look-
ing quite well, is much improved in health.
Senator Riddleburrger, of Virginia, and
General King, of Louisiana, were some of the
distinguished visitors attending the experi-
ments in the Physical Laboratory last month.
According to one who has passed in optics,
a foot of one of the team in the foot-ball
photograph is out of proportion with the
inan's leg, because it was " too much fo-
cussed."
One of " our brightest,*' an officer of the
S. I. T. Yacht Club, is consoling himself over
the loss of a race. His compass was out
several degrees, and consequently (so he says)
sailed too far.
Some bright mind suggests a remedy for the
habit of the Sophomores "refreshing" their
sluggish memories in calculus during recita-
tion. Bind the books with sheet iron and mag-
netize Prof. Carr.
The floor on Prof. Wall's room is noticeably
tending to double up. An accident insurance
company might do a lucrative business among
the students who have to risk their limbs in
this precarious place.
A Sophomore struts about and endeavors to
inveigle the innocent into the belief that he
received $25.00 for a professional opinion.
This is about equal to the Junior who puts an
M. E. after his signature.
The possibilities of improving the tower of
the Institute building are many. Let some
one of the great in '84 propose that their class
club together and have it done, instead of
planting a tree at graduation.
The Preps have not only usurped the entire
campus, but now enjoy themselves in innocent
foot-races up and down the library. For
want of a better use, we suppose the library
will have to put up with this annoyance.
Either footstools or floor straps might be
added, with great propriety, to the equipment
of Prof. Wall's lecture room ; so that those of
us whose weighty brains tend toward the
earth's centre while their heels fly heaven-
ward could be comforted and their near neigh-
bors benefited.
This year's influx of college annuals has be-
gun. Those which have happened this way are
replete with interesting lists of their corpora-
tions, trustees, students, and, most prominent
of all, eating clubs, with very little reading
matter of interest. We hope our annuals this
year will be of a more entertaining character.
Although we are thankful for all subscrip-
tions, we do not feel that we are under any
obligations to the subscribers, especially in
the way of extra copies of the Indicator.
Some of our subscribers seem to think that
the fact of their being subscribers entitles
them to an unlimited number of single copies.
We beg to dispel this illusion.
The students will please recollect that the
" Sanctum " is a part of Prof. Carr's office,
and granted to us by his kindness. We hope
that the unwarranted intrusion of some of the
upper class men into the " Sanctum " will not
be repeated, as it seriously reflects on their
character to enter a room belonging to a pro-
fessor, without even the formality of knocking
at the door.
Modern art reached one of its highest pin-
nacles when that variegated notice, especially
directed to smokers, was produced. There were
some objections to the design, however, and it
is undergoing improvement under the guidance
of a few aesthetically inclined Sophs. Mean-
while " Prof." Donaldson goes about much
after the fashion of a roaring lion, etc. It is
rumored that he paid the artist a quarter for
the effort — ergo.
The results of our requests for subscriptions
from the alumni have been encouraging and
very gratifying, with the exception of one, who
heads his letters, when he doesn't use the
backs of our printed receipts, as a patent
lawyer. A slight error in mailing him a notice
of publication, with another alumnus' name di-
rected thereon, was too much for one of his
position in society. Probably he had just lost
a case, and so is somewhat excusable. But
his sentiments, which were scribbled on the
back of our notice and returned for our edifi-
cation, rather betokened one whose chief oc-
cupation was the manipulation of tin locomo-
tives and express wagons with pink strings,
than one who probably bears the title of an
M. E.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
'75-
G. K. Dickinson is a practicing physician
in Jersey City, N. J.
T. F. KoEZLY, for many years with the
house of Gillis St Geoghegan, manufacturers
of steam heating and ventilating apjiaratus,
has recently accepted a position in ihe New
York Steam Company.
■76.
Married, on Thursday, February 14, 1884,
at the residence of the bride's parents, by the
Rev. G. C. Haughton, assisted by the Rev. E.
C. Haughton, William Diehl, of Philadelphia,
to Annie, daughter of I. Menzies Livingston,
Esq., of Hoboken, N. J.
G. C. Henninc ha.s opened an office as In-
specting Engineer at No. 18 Cedar street, New
York, and will give special attention to all
kinds of steel and iron constructions.
William Kent was present at the Cincin-
nati meeting of the American Institute of
Mining Engineers, and took a prominent part
in the discussions.
'77-
W. J. CoopEG is book-keeper for the First
National Bank, Newark, N. J.
•78.
Paul Kudlich is prosecuting his studies
at the Royal Art Academy, Munich, Germany,
J. F. Kelly represented the interests of
the United States Electric Light Company at
the recent tests at the Institute.
E. P. Thompson is with the Brush-Swan
Electric Light Company, Englewood, N. J.
'80.
G, M, Bond lectured on the evening of
February a9(h before the Franklin Institute,
Philadelphia, on the subject of "Standards of
Length as Applied to Gauge Dimensions,"
explaining the methods of work adopted by
the Pratt & Whitney Co.
J. W. Lieu, on January ist, received the ap-
pointment of Chief Electrician to the Italian
Edison Electric Light Company, the outgrowth
of the experimental installation at Milan,
DuRAND Woodman is chemist at the
Weston Factory, Newark, N, J., of the United
States Electric Light Company.
■81.
H. S. Pope is travelling for the house of
Thomas J. Pope & Bro., dealers in metals,
New York.
BKGBflFJEBS.
Among our pile of exchanges, ihe first to
strike the eye of the Exchange Editor is a
pleasant-looking magazine, having on its cover
the picture of a half-opened chestnut burr,
and the name LthtghBurr. The general ap-
pearance being pleasing and the device pleas-
ing, the editor starts right here.
The contents are found to be of varied
flavor. On the second page we find the sugar
of approbation in the shape of a commenda-
tory notice of our efforts to shake off the
preps. Scattered around liberally we find the
laughter-inducing element, and clear over
near the back is the tonic in a criticism of the
weak points of the first number of the Indi-
cator. The medicine is rather bitter, but
we take it, hoping to improve.
The LafayetU College Journal calls espe-
cial attention to an article contained in it
on the question now being much agitated in
colleges, whether Greek shall be abandoned or
not. Although students of a technical insti-
tution generally possess so little classical
knowledge that ihe subject possesses no great
charm for them, still we are all interested in
culture and interested in seeing that maintained
which, as the writer says, although " not cap-
able of buying a loaf of bread, or building a
bridge, , . . helps to make a man." The
writer presents the subject very well ; his
reasons advanced for the retention of the
language as a study being sensible and such
as may be appreciated by all. It does refine
and polish, and also cultivate perseverance
and patience. It is evidently unwise that
Greek "go" altogether. But when, on page
80 of the Journal, we find the statement that
in New York City there are three thousand
college graduates incapable of earning a living,
it certainly seems that there is a happy mean
to be struck between the making of a " ma-
chine " and of a merely cultured man.
The Journal also contains a full account of
the recent meeting of delegates at Lafayette
on January 19th for the formation of a base-
ball league.
The University Magazine, of the University
of Virginia, is filled with a pleasing variety of
matter. "A Minute in a Far-off Spring,"
which is Article No. 3 of the series, "Under
the Arcades," is a well-written sketch, dis-
playing feeling and a pleasing style of expres-
sion. The column of " Dont's," suggested by
and modelled after the recently published
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
39
book of the same title, is apt, and many of its
injunctions are as worthy of heed as those of
the original.
The University Herald devotes considerable
space to the publication of two or three
.essays, which, we should judge, have been
written in competition. The " Locals ** are
very entertaining, even for an outsider. We
read also of the acceptance, by Prof. Schill, of
the position of professor of music. We con-
gratulate the students of the University on the
accession of a musician, who, in so short a
time, has won such high praise as he has re-
ceived from the musical public.
The Oberlin Revieiv is largely occupied by
an account of a recent oratorical contest, and
accompanying it is a rather novel article, con-
sisting of the opinions of the contestants as to
the effect of the contest upon students and
institution, whether beneficial or otherwise.
The Adelphiarty the publication of the Adel-
phi Academy in Brooklyn, is a neatly gotten-
up magazine, the mechanical execution being
in every respect excellent. The February
number is rendered still more attractive by a
pleasing little frontispiece, the production of
a lady student of their art department. The
contributions are very readable.
The ConcordiensiSy of Union University,
Schenectady, is an unpretentious but finely
printed and arranged paper. . The quality and
quantity of the contents manifest a great deal
of industry and talent, even for thirteen edi-
tors and a business manager. Although sorry
that the students are compelled to raise a
howl, still being compelled, we are glad to see
them performing their duty in " kicking," as
they do.
We are sorry to note in any '85 man such a
strong desire to " shufflle off," as is manifested
by the author of "The Old Kitchen Fire."
The Atnerican Machinist is, as usual,
crowded with the most useful information.
Among the articles we notice especially one
on the construction and use of the milling
machine, an article of a series on locomotive
running, and a description of the Prony brake
used by Messrs. Mitchell and Aldrich in ex-
perimenting on an engine at the American In-
stitute Fair. Those of our readers who are
not in the habit of reading this paper we would
advise to do so. The articles are of that
practical nature which makes them of not a
whit less importance to the engineer than his
text-book information.
The remarks just made apply with equal
propriety to the Electrician and Electrical
Engineer diXid to the Electrical Revie^u, Herein
will be found information fully sufficient to
keep the reader up to the times and perfectly
acquainted with all developments, practical and
theoretical, in this rapidly growing branch of
science and industry.
We would also acknowledge the receipt of
the following additional e^cchanges : The
Kenyan Advance^ Tech, North Wester n^ Queens
College Journal y and the February numbers of
Mechanics,
<^ » »
CErppiRss.
Pater: "Well, my boy, how do you like
College ? " Alma Mater has turned out some
good men." Young Hopeful : " Ya-as, she's
just turned me out !" He had been expelled.
— Ex,
Love : Young Simpson (to the lovely Feli-
cia, as they stand on the piazza in the moon-
light) : " Miss Felicia, this world looks so
dreary and lonely to me I feel as if no one
loves me." Felicia (in a sympathetic tone) :
" Oh, Mr. Simpson, God loves you !" Simp-
son, after a thoughtful pause, suggests that
they go in, as it is growing chilly. — Life,
Prof, in Physics : " Mr. W., what, in your
opinion, is a good example of a non-conduct-
or ?" Mr. W.: "A driver on a bobtailed car."
(Appreciative murmurings of applause from
outer utterances.) — Poly,
m
Greek Recitation. — Benevolent Professor
(prompting) : " Now, then, Eipas " Som-
nolent Soph, (remembering last night *s studies):
" I make it next." (He goes it alone before
the faculty.) — Ex.
First Freshman to second ditto : " Did you
get her photo while you were away ?" Second
Freshman : ** Well — ah, the fact is she gave
me her negative." — Princetonian.
" You are as full of airs as a music-box," is
what a young man said to a girl who refused
to let him see her home. That may be,"
she replied, " but I don't go with a crank." —
Ex,
He was a facetious Sophomore : " What
quantities of dried grasses you do keep here.
Miss Smith ? Nice room for a donkey to get
into." " Make yourself at home," she said,
with sweet gravity. — Ex,
40
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
•■I
1
Scene. — Class in Roman Law. Instructor :
" Now, we see that the husband bought the
wife and the wife bought the husband." Witty
Senior : " Then they were both sold, wer'n't
they ?" Instructor (who doesn't see the point):
" Yes, they were both sold." Class grins aud-
ibly and instructor tumbles. — Ex,
Speaking of chemical matters, we are re-
minded that a uniformed professor lately said
that matches were of very recent date, upon
which a bright member of the class remarked
that it was an error, as Adam and Eve made
the first match, which was an explosive affair,
raising Cain.
We have a faint suspicion that the above
joke is as ancient as the match itself.
Mr. M. to his friend G.: " Fifty years from
now I think there will be plenty of women
running steamboats and railroad trains." G :
" Never ; that won't be fast enough for them
thenr
The students who are taking French are
anxious to use Sarah Barnum as a text-book.
— Burr.
First Student : " Can two directly opposed
feelings exist at the same time?" Second
Student : " Yes, joy and sorrow ; when the
Professor is ill and cannot hear the recita-
tion."— Beacon,
Logical Sequence. — A comfortable reflec-
tion for the indisposed — a lazy boy is better
than nothing. Nothing is better than a studi-
ous boy. Therefore a lazy boy is better than
a studious boy. — Ex,
GOT LEFT.
" Meet me," she said,
" To-morrow night
** At the garden wall
** When the sun's gone down."
And here's to-morrow,
And here am I,
And there's the wall,
And the sun's gone down.
— Lampoon,
Patti's Diamonds. — Among Patti's half-
million dollars* worth of diamonds are many
that came from the crowned heads, three
kings and two queens being among the do-
nors. There is a man in Chicago who used to
wear diamonds who is now wearing pawn jew-
elry, owing to his having three kings and two
queens mixed up in the affair. The other
man held three aces and a pair of jacks. —
Peck's Sun,
'85 should remember, "That to be fore-
warned is to be forearmed."
Professor to very noisy class : " Order, g^-
tlemen, order. I am very sorry to see so
much electricity in your heels, for we know
positive electricity at one pole implies ntgaim
at the other."
ODE TO SPRING.
OflT.
That buzzest on the wall,
Take care thou do not fall.
Though dimb'st so high.
oay.
Thou surely dost not know
The glee and yet the woe
Thou bringest to I.
You tee
Whene'er I hear thy wing,
I always think of Spring
And all that sort of thing ;
Of spring suits and straw hats;
Of tender moonlight chats
Of pretty coaxing girls,
Banged hair and flowing curls;
Of woods and vales and rills ;
'Tis then my spirit thrills
With glee.
'^Amherst Studemi,
THE COLLEGE WORLD.
Columbia. — Columbia has resigned from
the Child's Cup Association. Cornell was
elected in her place. Astronomical instni-
mentSy worth $12,000, have been presented to
the college. The library is inspected by
two detectives. 'S6 has a class debt of
$600. A challenge has been sent to Har-
vard for next spring's boat race. Oxford
caps have almost entirely disappeared.
HARVARD.~The term-bills last year amount-
ed to Si73>ooo- A committee from the
Faculty met a deputation of the students to
discuss the professional aspect of athletics.
Permission has been granted to play
professional nines next summer. The
number of students is 1,522.
Princeton. — The Faculty prohibit sparring
at the winter sports. The "^
thinks that the anti-fraternity spirit is grow-
ing at that institution. The number of
students is 527.
Yale. — The Glee Club asked $1,200 for
damages from the Ohio and Mississippi Rail-
road by reason of loss incurred in failure to
meet engagements, etc. The Freshman
nine has four candidates for the position of
pitcher, two for catcher, two for each of the
bases, and three for short stop. The foot-
ball team has a surplus in the treasury of $500.
The number of students is 1,092.
ffJK STEVENS INDICATOR.
Stevens Institute of Technology,
SCHOOL OF MECHAHICAL ENGINEERIKG,
FOUNDED BY THE lATE EDWIN A. STEVENS,
HOBOKEN. N. J
I'tpT. ■■ KaiWrlMiviiUI M><
»
STEVENS HIGH SCHOOL.
THE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT
— of Tin: —
STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,
mvKR :• -u. H J..
OP, A.
JuniUH oiiHAKTivic NT,
dENlOlt DCFARTMENT. - •
»t>0.00 PE"R *MI1UII(
9I50.CX) PBM AMNUN
THE
^Uevefi^ Tndi(iife©R
VoL I.
HOBOKEN, N. J., APRIL, 1884.
No. 4.
^he Slsevei^g Indies^® p.
rVBLISHBD O.V THR
Wk OF EACH MONTH, DURING THE COLLEGE YEAR,
BY THE STUDENTS OF
^Venji lojititatB of TeG$DoIogi|.
, . . C. W. WHITINO, '84.
. A. P. KLETZSCH, '84.
. JOHN M. RUSBY*, '85.
ROLLIN NORRIS, '85.
P. MOWTON, *8ft. C. R. COLLINS, '86.
LADD PLUMLBY, '87.
■ - ■♦♦ —
:-#l.60 fm Yitr, in Advance. Single Copy, 20 Cents.
^Ml QflM M Scromd Cla»» Mmtter.
SmkxeripiUms taken by the business manager, who ivill
the paper to any address, prepaid, on receipt of
eofies can be obtained at Lutfiin's book store,
Tkg paper will be sent regularly to subscribers until
anUrwd io be Sscontinued.
Smbsenbers will please immediately notify us of any
oMmmma im their address or failure to receive the paper
mgmarfy.
^^rw/Sw j»rf, alumm, undergraduates, and friends, are
■■■■"{*■' A» contribute literary artichs, items, verses, dis-
ffunams afeurrtnt topics, and personal notes,
•f^ if p^irtiiulaHy desired that Alumni furftisk us -n'it/i
«^ iiewu of interest concerning themselves and every one
has been emnected with the Institute.
Mt is ojtpected that all articles shall be written in a
MS tone.
^^t full name, as vkU as his nom de pi.L'mk,
, !S"!?/"*.y '^' article, as assurance of ^ood faith
^"^Mat; ; but it will not be published, unless desired.
^ Jv^^l^*" <S> net necessarily endofse sentiments ex-
ffWtMgmaei^ in the editorial and exchange columns.
m^^^^^r^ "f *ffvited to send us books and magiiz/nes
» HTMi^j^, contributions, subset iptions, advertisements.
fdmaotheti
H.J.
^ ^ttnunications by mail, should be addressed
*"'W» Indicator, Stei'ens Institute, Hoboken,
_Jz. ^TJV ^^**g to secure the busittess patronage of
y^V' ^himni, will find it to their advantage to
■• jO€ stir oioertisin^ mt^t.
0N the 7th of March the Junior Class was
tendered a reception by Professor and
Mrs. Thurston. There were a number of young
ladies present, as well as the wives of several
of the professors, and everyone appeared to
have a pleasant time. As '85 has no glee club,
there was no singing by the class, but one of
the ladies present kindly sang a number of
selections, which were much enjoyed.
In the Indicator of March, ^84 wants to
know the opinion of the ladies in regard to
'85. In answer, we can only repeat a remark
made by one of them who attended both re-
ceptions. The Senior reception being men-
tioned, she exclaimed : ** Seniors ! Why I
thought they were Freshmen and Sopho-
mores ! ! "
We are sorry for '84, and wonder when she
will lose her verdancv.
'^^tfertising rates.
j^ROMPTED by a call of the Athletic Asso-
1^ ciation of Columbia College to similar
organizations of the other colleges of the coun-
try, eleven of the latter sent delegates to a
meeting which was held Saturday, March 29,
at Hamilton Hall, Columbia College, for con-
sultation and interchange of views concerning
the proposed athletic regulations.
The meeting was opened by Mr. Woodworth.
of Columbia, who stated the object of the call,
A lengthy discussion then took place, after
which a vote was taken on each of the eight
resolutions restricting athletics. This showed
great disapproval, and when Mr. Sexton, of
Harvard, introduced a series of resolutions,
they were passed by all except St. John College.
These were as follows :
Whereas, We have listened to a full discussion of the
athletic regulations by representatives of eleven col-
leges,
42
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that the
recent action of the committee appointed by the various
college Faculties, in drawing up a series of resolutions
regarding athletics, was unnecessary and inexpedient.
Resolved, That no abuses exist in inter- collegiate
athletics which cannot be corrected by the students
themselves, in their various conventions, when con-
vinced that such abuses exist.
Resolved, That the students in the various colleges
ought to have full control of the details of athletics.
Resolved, That the Faculties ought, in our opinion,
to interfere only negatively, i. e., to prevent neglect of
college duties.
« ^» >
IT will be noticed, on perusing our paper
further, that with this number there ap-
pears a column headed, "Communications,"
which has not appeared heretofore. The idea
is an old one and originated with our first
number ; but, until now, we have received no
matter with which to fill it. This time, how-
ever, there have come to us three letters ; and,
as this is the department of the paper through
which discussions and debates may be carried
on publicly, and individual opinions be ex-
pressed, we hope that hereafter it will be, as
it certainly ought to, a large and interesting
part of our monthly.
Two of these letters, it will be seen, are on
the same subject, and were brought out by an
article in our last issue, entitled, " Examina-
tions." The other takes the Indicator it-
self as the subject of criticism. We have al-
ready replied to this, to a certain extent, by
stating that our want of a column of communi-
cations was only due to our having nothing to
put in it ; but would like to say further, that
the writer must have drawn on his imagina-
tion when he supposed that any college papers
are " read with interest by thousands in no way
connected with those colleges."
'Tis true that a few friends of a college may
read its paper ; and we, no doubt, are able, at
an institute like ours, to get out one which
would be of interest to them, if we can only
obtain the co-operation of students and pro-
fessors, as well as alumni, as Mr. Pratt says.
This, however, we have been unable to do as
yet, and the work has fallen rather hard on
the editors, for they can hardly be expected
to write editorials, poetry, athletic articles,
amusing stories, scientific reviews, criticisms
on our exchanges, and every other style, and
make it good, besides looking after the pub-
lishing of the paper. Naturally, if we have
more contributions there will be displayed
more varied talent.
Mr. Pratt says, if all the work in preparing
matter is left to the editors, it will be poor.
We hope his idea was the same as expressed
above, and not that the editors are incapable of
fulfilling their positions. Then we would thank
him for expressing his views publicly.
-♦-♦-
rr\OW, since the weather promises to be
1 ^'^clear once in a while, we hope that the
students will realize what a short time we have
in which to prepare for the spring games. The
weather has until now been a serious draw-
back to any field practice, and has, to a certain
extent, retarded progress in any of the college
athletics. A number of the students have
been fortunate enough to secure a riding-hall
for the purpose of practicing base-ball, and
have made good use of the very short time
allotted to us for practice.
Lacrosse has taken what seems to be a good
start, although it is noticed that, as a usual
thing, the same men are taking up this game
that play at almost all the older established
si)orts. It is to be hoped that the reverse will
soon be the case, and men who have not taken
a special liking to any one game as yet, but
who have been content to look on, will be en-
ticed to try this pleasant recreation and cer-
tainly beneficial exerci:-e. Lawn tennis has
not taken a start as yet, but a great many of
our boys are anxiously waiting for the grounds
to become a little drier, so that they may open
the season and get in trim for the " tourna-
ment," which is expected to be held in the
fall. It has been noticed that a number of the
Sophs have been making racquets of their own
peculiar pattern, and from which they expect
great results — certainly the specimens that we
have seen warrant their expectations. The
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
43
spring meeting will soon be in order, and all
must prepare for some particular event.
We certainly must not allow the affair to be a
failure ; we ought to make a fair showing at
the Intercollegiate meeting in May. We must
have some representatives there or lose our
place. So, seeing what you have to do, you
know how to prepare for it.
We would like to see more Freshmen in the
field ; there is certainly some good material in
'87, and it must come out. A large majority
of that class seem to have no thought of their
college other than the fact that they have to re-
cite in certain rooms and be here at certain days.
If you are going to belong to a college, belong
to it, be a part of it, and help to bring it to a
place of prominence among our sister colleges.
This you cannot do unless you are in a physi-
cal condition able to stand some wear and
tear on your entire system. If you are going
to attain this state of physical and mental per-
fection, give some of your time to physical
culture here at Stevens among your own
mates. You have to give your mental atten-
tion here ; why not give your physical atten-
tion also, and join hands to bring about a good
object. We want a gymnasium. Show the fac-
ulty and our outside friends that we have the
nuterial to fill it to advantage, and thus prove
to them that it is the best present they can
give the students of Stevens.
LANDED : A LEAP YEAR STORY.
By a Minnesinger,
Authoress of** Nrw and Old.*'
PAST.
Wc went a fishing, I thought that Mabel
Was barely able to catch a fly ;
She sat and watched xne, at times commented,
And was contented — and so was I.
The lazy water was cool, and bubbled,
Though little troubled our craft to see ;
I gazed at Mabel with some attention,
And, I may mention, she looked at me.
Some trout 1 landed. She said, ''I'm ready,
i'ray lend me, Te<ldy, the hook and line."
V> I rcbaitedf and passed it over.
And tried to cover her hand with mine.
The boat was drifting, her hook did wriggle,
She gave a giggle, and lost her trout.
She pulled her line up, but nothing followed,
Her bait was swallowed, the hook flew out.
And high above her swayed, and sinking.
Was soon a-linking its point to me ;
It caught my coat sleeve, I could not pull it
From out the wool, it would not come free.
Then saucy Mabel was uild with laughter,
A moment after she did deride.
" I've caught a fish now, you can't deny, sir.
It soon must die, sir, and then — be fried !"
I said most slowly, *' Ves, you did hook me.
Though you sh.in't cook me, and will not try ;
But you could kill me, as you'd discover.
Just 'throw me over,' and then I'd die !"
Her face was sober. Another minute
A glance grew in it. a sudden smile
That crept and broadened ; another giggle,
" I'll let you wriggle — a little while."
But then, however, she thought, debated ;
I was elated ; at last she spake.
We glided farther, nor ever heeded
The time that speeded, or fish, or lake.
PRESENT.
Now, I tell Mabel this tale to tease her,
(I can't displease her, I .should'nt dare)
She for defense though, this plea does keep near,
" Well, it was Leap Year, so it was fair."
Editors of the Indicator :
It is strange how differently some things
are looked at by different persons, and what
opposite conclusions they will draw from the
same facts. I have never been more forcibly
struck by this than upon reading a contribu-
tion which appeared under the head of " Ex-
aminations " in the last number of the Indi-
cator.
The plan which Mr. H. A. Westminster
advocates doubtless does well enough for
primary school children, but college men are
supposed to be something higher. Children
require to have their lessons heard daily to
keep them up to their work ; but when a man
goes to college he is old enough to appreciate
his advantages, and should require no such
stimulus. Every one knows how much valu-
able time is wasted in hearing lessons, which
time could be so much more advantageously
used for lectures.
I would like to see the petty system of
holding recitations and marking abolished.
44
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
and for it substituted, at the end of the course,
a rigid examination, continued over as long a
period of time as may be necessary.
When under examination a man is required
to concentrate his knowledge and depend
upon what he knows. The ability to do this
is just what he needs to meet the crises occur-
ring every day in after life.
The system I have been advocating is, I
believe, that pursued at the University of
Virginia, and at the great institutions of learn-
ing abroad, and destined, Mr. Westminster to
the contrary notwithstanding, to be generally
adopted. Oliver Snowden.
» ♦» »
Editors of the Indicator :
As H. A. Westminster states in the last
issue of the Indicator, examinations, as con-
ducted, are injurious to the student, and
might well be abandoned. But he is partly
at fault in advocating that students should be
graded entirely by their work during the
term.
Every one with the least experience will
admit that a subject is seldom learned until it
is reviewed. In the pursuance of nearly all of
the studies in either a collegiate or scientific
course, with, perhaps, the exception of such
branches as literature or history, but more
especially in mathematics, the advance, par-
ticularly when rapidly made, is often but half
learned, while probably more seldom under-
stood. This is more noticeable in the case of
dull students, who are slow to receive an im-
pression, but equally slow to part with it,
while the same is true in many cases with
those who learn much more easily, but who can
form no conception of the nature of the sub-
ject, for instance, as set forth in the next
twenty pages, and fail to see in what manner
that which they are at present learning is to be
of value to them. In other words, they do
not know exactly what they are driving at,
and not until they have been to the other end
can they see light through, or form a compre-
hensive conception of the subject. It is the
review which fills up the gap, and tells how
much the student has exerted himself. If he
has been faithful during the advance, there
will be nothing entirely new to him in the re-
view, and he will see to what purpose the
various parts are to be put ; while he will find
that much which was originally difficult to
grasp has become quite familiar to him
through constant usage in later parts of the
work. If by this time he has not become
familiar with the subject, it must be due to
some individual reason, and he must suffer
the consequences.
The writer, therefore, attaches all im-
portance to the reviews, and considers that
these should be conducted in a thorough and
careful manner, and that upon these should
the grading of a student chiefly depend.
Senior.
« ^ » »
Editors of the Indicator :
The idea of founding a paper at Stevens
was a praiseworthy one, and much credit is
due those who were willing to undertake the
difficult task. The Indicator is yet in its
infancy ; it will improve and grow stronger
with age, and now is the time to start
it in the proper direction, for ** as the twig is
bent so the tree inclines.*' Already it has
been noticed by several papers, such as the
Mechanics and American Machinist^ but, as
one of them remarked, it is of interest princi-
pally to the students of Stevens. It is true
that the Indicator is intended to be an ex-
ponent of the students, and is published for
their benefit or pleasure. But any college
paper that is devoid of interest to persons
outside of the college for which it is printed,
proves itself to be too narrow and local.
The papers of leading colleges of the
country are read with interest by thousands in
no way connected with those colleges.
Now, the question arises, how can the In-
dicator attain that enviable position ? The
question is easily answered. Let a portion of
the articles be on subjects of general interest,
and not all on little incidents of the Institute
and students. Now, it seems to me that
Stevens has a much better opportunity for
printing a paper that will soon be of wide
reputation than most any other institution of
learning. In the first place, Stevens ranks
first in the country in mechanical engineering.
Its standard is high. Now there are a num-
ber of men in the Institute who could write
articles, not all necessarily on engineering
topics, but good sound articles of interest to
everybody. There are subjects of practical
interest which attract the attention of some of
us every day. New ideas and suggestions are
constantly being made in the lecture-rooms
and laboratories by both professors and stu-
dents, and to gtve all the benefit of these, or
at least to call their attention to them would
undoubtedly be a help to all who read the
paper.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
45
The Indicator evidently has not received
the support of the students that it should.
This, of course, is in no way the fault of the
editors ; but it seems to me that the attention
of the students should be called to the fact
that if all the work in preparing matter for
the paper is left to the editors, it will follow
as a natural consequence that it will be poor.
To succeed it must receive the co-operation
of the students. And if the students would
take the proper interest, it is quite possible
that the members of the faculty would be
kind enough to contribute from time to time,
and the success of the Indicator would then
be insured.
And, Messrs. Editors, as a constant re-
minder of the duties of all students interested
in the welfare of the Indicator, I would
respectfully suggest that the Indicator have
a special department, entitled " Communica-
tions.
Pratt, '85.
-^-^
TIME ROLLS ON.
By Swift.
In childhood's days, bright happy da)s,
Too young to think of evil ways.
We tip sweet pleasures as they fly ;
But childhood fleets so quickly by,
And time rolls on.
Youth follows childhood's sunny morn,
Of higher thoughts and feelings bom.
Unfurls the world full to our gaze,
And bids us leap within its maze,
And time rolls on.
Now manhood follows on apace,
And in the struggle for the r|ice
We meet the ups and downs of strife,
The victory or defeat of life.
And time rolls on.
And last upon this earthly stage,
Infirm and bent, behold Old Age !
With trembling steps he gains the door.
The curtain falls, life's dreams are o'er.
But time rolls on.
*^ » >
INSPECTION TOUR OF THE CLASS
OF '84.
On Tuesday, March 11, the seniors accumu-
lated at the Pennsylvania depot, Jersey City,
to start on their second inspection tour. A
special car was attached to the 8.45 a. m.
train for their use, and when assembled here
they numbered twenty-seven. Mr. Riesen-
berger was with them, and two others of the
class were picked up on the way. Arriving at
Trenton, the special car was switched off, and
the class made their way, through not a little
mud, to the works of the Trenton Iron Com-
pany.
Here was seen the complete process of the
manufacture of iron wire, from the rude
charcoal blooms to the hard finished wire of
various gauges. The iron is first rolled to bar
sizes or " billets," then reheated and passed
back and forth between fast running rolls of
smaller and smaller size, until it is reduced to
three-fourths of an inch in diameter, the
largest size they draw, or smaller. It is then
annealed, washed in dilute sulphuric acid and
dried in powdered lime, when it is ready to
be drawn. This is done by pointing an end,
f)assing it through a conical shaped hole
from the larger to the smaller side) in a block
of steel, and attaching it to a windlass.
The whole process is quite interesting, and
especially the rolling of the wire, when it
wiggles about on the floor like a snake.
Another object of interest at these works
was a Corliss engine. This was intended to
run with a piston speed of about 350 feet per
minute, and is not a " fast running " engine ;
but greater speed was required to drive the
train at its proper velocity, and this engine
was put in by Mr. Corliss rather reluctantly,
against the advice of all builders of fast run-
ning engines. It has now been running for
a long enough time to test its durability, at a
piston speed of 1,100 feet per minute, and
stands the wear and tear admirably.
Dinner was the next thing on the pro-
gramme. This was had at the Trenton House,
from where the class proceeded to the Ameri-
can Saw Company's Works. Here their
attention was especially called to the different
kinds of movable teeth for circular saws, and
their ways of fastening.
The Glasgow Pottery was the next stopping
place, and here the boys were shown the
complete process of making crockery; the
rough clay as it comes from the earth, the
washing and separating of the same from all
foreign substances, all the various ways of
molding and turning it into the required
shapes, the drying ovens, the baking and
glazing furnaces, and finally, the decorating
of the products, all of which was exceedingly
interesting.
At 5.25 p. m. the class were again in their
car and on their way to Philadelphia, where
they arrived at 7 p. m. A few minutes' walk
took them to the Lafayette Hotel, and here
they put up for the rest of the week, enjoying
a hearty dinner to begin with.
46
THE STEVENS INDtCATOk.
Prof. Denton arrived early Wednesday
morning, and, dividing the class into two sec-
tions, and giving one under the guidance of
Mr. Riesenberger, took the other to Morris &
Tasker's and Southwark Foundry before din-
ner. The other section inspected the same
place, but in a reverse order, so that only
half of the class was at either place at one
time.
In the afternoon, the works of W. Sellers &
Co. and the Baldwin Locomotive Works were
visited in the same manner, each party having
a 'bus to carry them from place to place.
At Morris & Tasker*s the students were
shown the making of wrought iron steam
pipes, the cutting, threading and testing of
them, and the threading of nipples, elbows
and tees. The welds in the smaller pipes are
butt welds, made by simple contact, the iron
being rolled up by drawing through conical
shaped holes of smaller and smaller sizes. All
the work is done very rapidly, the men being
paid by the piece, and every contrivance used
to save labor.
At Southwark Foundry the first thing to
attract the students' attention was a large pit
planer, in which the tool travels instead of the
work. At these works were seen in process of
construction the Clerk gas engine and Porter-
Allen steam engine, and a description, in book
form, of the latter, was kindly given to each
student. In the foundiy was noticed a very
large steam travelling crane, which we believe
is considered a failure.
On entering the works of W. Sellers & Co.,
the first impression made was that they
packed their machines together like sardines
in a box. Their systematic tool room was
looked into and admired, after which the ma-
chines of special interest were examined.
These were a twist-drill grinding machine, a
horizontal drill and boring mill, a seventy-two
inch lathe for the Calumet and Hecla mines,
and an automatic gear cutter.
The Baldwin Locomotive Works, which
were next visited, gave one an idea that sys-
tem and order was of no importance in loco-
motive construction, for there was none appa-
rent to a visitor, yet the students were told
that they were turning out ten locomotives a
week, and that their full capacity was two a
day. However, when the drawing room, which
was very kindly opened to inspection, and the
gauge room were seen, this idea vanished. In
the latter place are kept, in almost perfect con-
dition, great numbers of gauges for all such
parts of a locomotive as can be made standard
and interchangable. The works, taken as a
whole, seem like a young world.
Thursday morning the class went to the
Midvale Steel W^orks, at Nicetown. Here
was seen the manufacture of steel by the open
hearth or Siemens-Martin process, with the
use of gas fuel. A very interesting process
was that of the making of driving wheel tires ;
the hammering oi the bloom, or ingot, the
punching, rehammering into rough form and
final rolling.
Returning from the Midvale Works, the
students stopped at the Harrison Boiler Works,
where they saw the moulding, which is done
entirely with green sand, grinding and testing
of the units of that boiler, as well as a glass
model of the Babcock & Wilcox boiler, show-
ing, on a small scale, the circulation of the
water.
In the afternoon the Schleicher, Schlumm
& Co.'s Gas Engine Works were visited, where
the Otto gas engines are built. Here one
would notice immediately the exceptional
cleanliness of the interior, as also the neat,
fresh appearance of the exterior of the build-
ings, and that order and system reigned su-
preme. The Otto gas engine is used here
exclusively for power.
In the evening Pi of. Denton returned to
Hoboken, leaving the class in charge of Messrs.
Carr and Riesenberger, the former of whom
joined the party at about that time. The fol-
lowing programme was then laid out for the
two remaining days.
Friday a. m.
J. Roach & Sons Chester.
Friday p. m.
1. P. Morris & Co.'s Philadelpha.
Cramp & Son's
Saturday a. m.
Edgemoor Iron Works - Edgemoor.
• Saturday p. m.
Pusey & Jones Wilmington.
Harlan & Hollingsworth's "
J. Morton Poole
Owing to the very disagreeable and rainy
weather Friday morning, and hopes of its
clearing later, the proposed afternoon trip was
taken in the morning, and vice versa,
A long and crowded street car ride took the
boys to L P. Morris & Co.'s. Here was being
done considerable work for the Calumet and
Hecla mines, among which were a new set of
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
M
valves for a Lcavitt pumping engine, four hoist-
ing drums each, 20 ft. 4 in. in diam., by 8 ft.
3 in. long, and which will carry each 4,000 ft.
of 1 4 in. wire rope, and heavy stamping ma-
chinery. Other things of interest were marine
engines being built for Cramp & Sons, the
light house for Mosquito Inlet, Florida, and
one of the first steam engines ever built. This
latter was a grass-hopper engine, built in 1804
by Oliver Evans, and is now running very
smoothly, needing little repairs.
From I. P. Morris & Co.'s the boys went to
the Cramp ship yards, where four or five
ships were on the ways in process of construc-
tion. The machine shop was visited, where
some heavy marine engines were seen in all
stages of completion, and a student was forced
to remark that the place was cramped. The
mold loft was visited and the method of lay-
ing down ships was explained by the foreman.
In the afternoon, the ship yards at Chesler
were inspected, and here the method of put-
ting a ship together was looked into, as there
was one on the ways very nearly ready to
launch. The monitor, Puritan, being launched
and ready for her boilers and engines, was
also in \ ery good condition for inspection.
Saturday morning, the class left Philadel-
phia for Edgemoor and Wilmington. At the
former place were visited the Edgemoor Iron
Works, of \V. Sellers & Co., bridge builders.
A stry noticable feature of these works was
the use of hydraulic pressure for forging, riv-
eting, etc., as well as in hoisting-cranes. The
Galloway boiler was seen in various stages of
completion, this being the only work done
here except bridge building and the like.
On arriving at Wilmington, the first works
inspected were those of Pusey & Jones, which
were engaged in building light draught steam-
ers for the South American Republics, as also
some general work, including paper machinery
and the Clerk gas engine.
After this the boys had their dinner. Yes,
and it was a dinner fit for a king, so that they
had to go somewhere else for supper, fearing
another such meal would unfit them for or-
dinary living.
In the afternoon the class went to Harlan &
Rollings worth's, where there were seen build-
ing yachts for W. W. Astor and Elbridge
Gerry. A very noticable feature was the ar-
rangement of offices and drawing rooms. In
the car shop, among many others, was a car
for the President of the Argentine Republic,
probably the most handsome one ever built.
There was also being built a vessel for the
Cornell Line, having a screw propellor, which
is to run between New York and Rondout.
The works of J. Morton Poole were the
last to be visited, and here was seen the manu-
facture of paper and flour making machinery.
After supper there remained a short time
before the arrival of our train, and this was
spent very pleasantly by the boys at the de-
pot, singing and fooling as only students know
how.
The singing attracted a very large audience,
and on leaving, the Stevens cheer was given
from the car.
A COLLEGE PIN.
P>om the nature of our college and of the
class of subjects taught here, the number of
students we graduate is necessarily small.
And, unlike the great universities, whose
alumni form prosperous associations in all
the cities of importance in the country, for the
continuation of college fellowship and the in-
troduction of the older to the more recent
graduates, we have no way to become ac-
quainted with those men who graduate after
us, and so are liable to break up all of our old
college associations. Would it not then be
well for us to adopt the custom prevailing at
the Columbia School of Mines and other sci-
entific institutions of wearing a college pin or
emblem, something that would indicate at
once a member of ** Old Stevens." Let it be
something plain, but characteristic ; not too
expensive, so those of our men least favored
by fortune may be able to wear one. Let it
be of mechanical design, a gear or a pulley,
for instance,, and, like the School of Mines,
crossed hammers to her men. We may have
ever with us a remembrance of our college
days.
-»-♦♦-•-
HOW WE GET OUR MAIL.
" Did anybody ask you to bring that letter
to me ?" " No." " Well, why under the sun
don't you let it alone where it belongs ; here
I've been running all over the building look-
ing for that letter, which ought to have been
left down stairs along with the rest of the mail.
Of course I am very much obliged to you for
your kindness in looking after my interest, but
rd rather you would let it alone altogether.
Say, don't you go away mad. Well, if you
, go on.
48
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
" Now there goes that fellow just about as
angry as he can be, just because I tell him
that he ought to allow my letters to remain in
the post office where I can always find them.
I don't see what some fellows can be thinking
of, to take all the trouble on themselves to
collect another man's mail and then start to
deliver it to him in some distant part of the
college, when in all probability the owner is
just coming to look and see if he is fortunate
enough to get any letters. When he gets in
the office some one says : * There was a letter
here for you, but so and so has it.' Then you
start off to find the wretch, only to find that
you are just missing each other — that you ar-
rive in a room just in time to discover that he
has gone out, he with an act of mistaken
kindness and you with a strong desire to ex-
press your opinion of some meddlesome stu-
dents." " Must I be my enemy's postman ?"
COMMENCEMENT WEEK.
The committee appointed by the Class of
'84 to arrange a programme for the exercises
of Commencement Week, presented a report
at a class meeting, Thursday, March 27. This
was accepted by sections, as presented, and a
synopsis is given below.
Sunday, June 8.— Baccalaureate Sermon at
Trinity Church, Hoboken.
Tuesday, June 10. — Class Day Exercises at
the Institute.
Wednesday, June 11. — Class Dinner.
The Class Day will be devoted to the regu-
lar Class Day Exercises, the following officers
being elected by the Class:
Chairman and Toastmaster^ E. B. Ren wick.
Historian^ F. Van Vleck.
Poet^ E. H. Foster.
Prophet^ WiLLARD S. Tuttle.
The Commencement will be held at the
First M. E. Church, Hoboken.
C. F. Parker was elected Salutatorian^ and
H. R. Re A, Valedictorian.
« ^» »
FACULTY INDICATORS.
Look you ! Who is it that is guilty of such
a crime ? A scrap of paper found its way in-
to the editorial sanctum, and on it was written
the following death warrant :
FACULTY INDICATORS.
Learning to preside with more tone.
An insight into physics becoming mair and
mair,
A never-resting thirst on for knowledge.
A versed sign strongly posted on enduring
wood.
Skill to make orderly, artistic drawings.
Taking the leads in chemistry and sanitary
investigations.
A conversance with the recondite se-cret of
language.
A wall filled with Belles-lettres.
Accurate and confident on mechanical work.
Mechanical drawing illustrated by a trans-
lated gi/lnt mountaineer.
The ocean traversed with the triumphal car
of Stevens.
Following the electric currents under the
wing of the llama-geyer.
« # » »
WILL THE FUTURE SEE LADIES IN
STEVENS ?
Not long ago, while spending the evening
at the house of a friend, a young lady asked
me if Stevens was likely to follow the lead of
other colleges and admit ladies. At first the
question startled me, but I soon ceased to
trouble myself about it, as a question too ab-
struse for a Freshman, and open to too much
prejudice for a Senior.
About two weeks ago I had returned from
the college, and after cramming tasks for the
next day, retired to rest. I was much wearied
in mind and body, and not on very good terms
with myself, for I had flunked again in math.;
and so for a time could not obtain the needed
repose.
At last I fell into a deep sleep ; a sound of
hammers, the rasping of files, the roar of
steam awoke me, and I found myself in what
seemed to be a vast building with vaulted
dome — this I judged from the sound of echoes
— for it was dark, dark into very blackness.
But how was this "> I felt old, my days in
college seemed ages in the past, and when out
of the darkness came a sighing sound of words,
and I at last distinguished, " Future days at
Stevens," the words at first conveyed no
sense to me, but after a time early recollec-
tions began to flood my mind, and as old
things grew familiar again the black darkness
began to lift, and soon I could see all about
me. I was in a great workshop; far into the dis-
tance extended the rows of workers. But wait.
Who are these at the great lathes, at the
vise benches and the planing machines ? Am
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
49
(t
(i
I deceived, or are they ladies ? They must be,
for no man at Stevens ever wore curls, and the
costumes, too, are more tasty than of yore.
Yes," the ghostly whisper answers in my ear,
they are ladies." A fair form passes near
me, and one of the workers at the bench ad-
dresses her as Professor, and I see from a
badge displayed on her neck that she is an
M. E. But where are the men — where are
those overalls, those natty caps, those flannel
shirts — are they gone ? I wander to and fro
in the hope of meeting a male student. The
Freshman class is coming out of a lecture. I
get into a corner of the hall and watch them.
They are all ladies, every one of them. They
make a pretty sight, I must admit, and they
certainly do not jostle and push one another
as the former Freshman were wont to do. The
halls are filled with jaunty costumes, and
among a crowd of others, a bloomer dress,
beautiful to behold ; a dress of bronze hue,
coming to below the knees, and stockings of
black ; a cap of dull red completes^ this cos-
tume, and as the wearer turns away, I notice
the word Indicator on the band of the little
cap. Then, these are the present students of
Stevens, and this crowd of charming girls in
gowns of such delightful shades of colors, will
soon be M. E*.s. My head reels and my brain
grows dizzy, but I determine to make one
more effort to obtain sight of a man in Stevens.
I ask the way to the President's office of a
little girl, who is dressed like an ancient page.
Arriving at the office, which is at the end of a
lofty marble wainscotted hall, I ring a bell by
pulling a silken cord. I am admitted and find
myself standing at the threshold of a beautiful
room ; hangings of mixed silk with rugs, which
must have surely been made in the land of the
white elephant, with rare pictures on the walls
of oak, give an air of culture and refinement
to the room which could not have been pro-
duced by man alone. As I make these obser-
vations, a lady rises with much dignity and
comes toward me. Then in a low and sympa-
thetic voice, asks me "who -I wish to see?"
I answer, "The President of Stevens College,
should he be at liberty to see me." For a mo-
ment the silence is only broken by the distant
throb of the engine, and then the lady,
making an inclination of the head, informs me
with ^ slightly annoyed appearance that the
President is a lady and that she stands before
me at my service. I murmur some excuse
for my visit and retire, pass with a sorrowful
heart along the wide halls and down the
marble steps. As I leave the gate of the In-
stitute, I turn a longing glance backward and
see a game of foot-ball on the green. They
form more quickly, and I am at first tempted
to believe that they must be the male students
of Stevens ; but a girlish burst of sweet laugh-
ter convinces me, and I turn away, my mind
filled with the sights that I have just seen. I
walk a few blocks, when meeting nobody but
lady students in every variety of pretty cos-
tumes, I begin to feel faint. My head grows
dizzy and I stumble, fall, and everything
grows dark around me. While darkness is
closmg in upon me, the weird whisper is again
on the air. Although almost unconscious, I
am able to distinguish the words, "Reform, ye
students of Stevens, reform; cease your throw-
ings of chalk, your flunks, your carelessness
in shop work, or your days are numbered, and
the Stevens of the present shall pass away and
be no more."
BOECUM.
-^-4-
PAST AND PRESENT.
It was a regular winter's day, although a
very pleasant one ; the air being bright and
clear, bringing the rosy glow of health to the
cheeks of the preps as they played the several
boisterous and outdoor games known only to
prepdom. All were not playing in the games;
some of the older and larger ones were amus-
ing themselves with snowballing the Stevens'
students as they went to and from the college
building ; only those who have to run the
gauntlet of about thirty preps, throwing snow-
balls with might and main, can tell what fun
it is.
As we looked out of our window we used to
see a large lot of ground which went under
the familiar name of " Campus," and every
fine afternoon might be seen a number of
preps enjoying themselves — yes, enjoying
themselves, even to the exclusion of the
Stevens men, to whom we thought the first
preference should be given ; however, the
preps always took possession of the ground,
and often of the football, which, of course,
belonged to Stevens ; there used to be a small
frame building right alongside of the high
school, formerly an observatory ; this and a
pretty cottage occupying the N. E. corner of the
block, together with the Institute, were all the
buildings on the block. Now all is changed ;
as we look out of our window we see a hand-
some building about one hundred feet long
and by about fifty wide ; this building is re-
5<^
THE S TE VEMS iMDtCA TOR.
ally a great improvement to the general ap-
pearance of the block ; it looks as though the
students and their friends had found out that
they really needed something, and had gone
to work with an earnest will and built it.
From the great improvement in the physi-
cal appearance and carriage of my student
friends, I really think the new building must
be a gymnasium, and certainly if the changed
appearance is one of the effects of the gym-
nasium, I wonder why it was not thought of
before. The students seem to appreciate it
very much, for I notice a constant stream of
them coming and going every afternoon. From
my open window (for it is now Indian sum-
mer) I can see quick agile forms jumping and
moving past the gymnasium windows like a
panorama, every man doing something ; but
what is that crowd collecting in one end of
the spacious hall for? Hark! just keep still a
moment! What is that shout ? Listen ! Hurrah!
Hurrah! Hurrah! S-t-e-v-e-n-s. Wlakie !
Em.
-♦-♦■
A NIGHT'S EXPERIENCE.
You ask for one of my experiences in my
profession as a physician. Well, Til tell you
my latest. I was called at an early hour one
morning last week in a great hurry. The
messenger said I must come immediately, as
they had delayed sending for a physician un-
til the last moment, as is usual, and now feared
that they had delayed too long. Of course I
hurried ; and when we arrived at the house I
found a young man apparently out of his
mind ; he seemed to want to get out of his
bed and go somewhere, as though he had but
little time to get to his destination. His room
mate had done his best to pacify him, but ap-
parently to no purpose. ** I must go," he
said ; " I have but a few minutes left, and to
be marked late is equivalent to a failure in his
department. Oh ! how can I ever remember all
this ? Say, Tom, what kind of shoes did
Burns wear ? I think the book says, don't it ?
It speaks of his shirt and collar anyhow, I am
sure. Come, be quick, tell me did he have
high or low shoes ? Hurry up or I shall for-
get. Oh, my head ! I wish some of these
men had died before they were bom. Oh, no!
I didn't mean that. See, here they come, all
inimitable, all kings, everyone a despot come
here to mock me. Are there no second rate
fiends among them ? Yes, there is one, but
what is all that commotion ? They are all try-
ing to kill that one poor unfortunate fiend, .so
that they may reign supreme, and have no
fiends inferior to themselves in their kingdom.
See ! they are coming this way, but what for ?
Surely they can have no business with us, but
they are coming nearer ; will no one help me ?
What have I done to merit this punishment ?
They have been beating me on the head for
the past hour, each one taking his whack in
turn, until my head aches terribly. These in-
imitable fiends are coming nearer ! I feel
their hot breath scorching me with their
passion. Help ! help !" Here my patient
awoke, for he had simply been dreaming of
his lesson in literature.
Em.
*^»-»
CRAMBO VERSES.
A few years ago a party of friends managed
to get a good deal of amusement out of an ex-
ercise they called "crambo verses." Each one
had assigned to him some subject on which to
compose a poem, in the course of which he
must rhyme some difficult word, which was
also assigned. The word was generally so
chosen that it was difficult to establish any re-
lation between it and the subject of the verses.
At the next meeting the verses were read and
discussed. The result was generally a very
pleasant evenings entertainment.
The following is a specimen. The word to be
rhymed was " synchronism," and the subject
•'IS LIFE WORTH LIVING?'*
You ask : is it worth while to live?
Well, that depends on whether you
Are cheerful or inclined to grieve,
And whether things look roseate or blue.
Sunshine or clouds, and rain or drouth
Make little odds ; nor age of moon ;
Nor if the Fates at birth put in your mouth
A wooden ladle or a silver spoon.
Let me a secret to the world impart ;
Devote yourself to optimism.
And then establish with some other heart
An ardent case of perfect synchronism.
« ^ » »
ri^BrGfl5P0R CflRQ.
We would like to know for what purpose
the new style of — well, the label on the box
says crayon, was introduced into the mathe-
matical room ? If it was to test the amount
of wear and tear that a piece of diabolically
compressed calcium carbonate, with an enor-
mous overcharge of pulverized carbon, and
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
5»
tempered so that it is warped into a helicoid,
would stand, it has been a success, for it has
been voted unanimously that it is almost im-
possible to detract from the original piece in
hand even the slightest amount of its com-
ponent parts, much less enough to make a
mark on a plaster wall of an equal degree of
hardness.
9
If it was to show the high moral status of
the Sophomore class, in regard to profanity, it
has dismally failed in its search, for, at any
time during which the above mentioned, very
much abused class had possession of the room,
any man, who was not hopelessly deaf, might
have heard innumerable quotations, which his
instinct would teach him were not from the
Bible or a hymn book. The best crayons that
we ever used in this place came from the room
in which languages are taught. If it is not
asking too much, it would certainly be a great
boon to many of us to make a change in this
particular direction. Em.
4 ^ » »
SIPUFFI^G B6X.
Alden. Why is it thusly?
Wanted. — An ode on Spring — see fighting
editor.
For High Tragedy — Method of Limits and
such like, see '85.
College reopens Monday, April 21. Stu-
dents, take notice.
Our next class of M. E.'s will graduate in
the M. E. Church.
^ "Bone," "bust," " bilge " — " boot-lick,"
"gouge," graduate.
Senior talent ought to find its way into the
Indicator ; but it don't.
How did you get through, eh ? Oh, excuse
me, too bad. I*m sorry for you.
'86, brace up — fen throwing chalk, fen "col-
lectin* in groups," fen everything.
Junior Ball — Where ?
Entertainment — When ">
Gymnasium ? — Both.
Mysterious disappearance — a member of
'86 left suddenly — no clue save the mournful
tale of a lonely maiden, she got left.
A professor, previous to examination week,
stated to the class : " Gentlemen, the next
recitation will be an examination."
The class of '86 testified their approbation
of the faculty's decision in the case of one of
their number by a soul-stirring cheer.
The diligent student works hard and long
Before he concludes that
Rankine is wrong.
Stevens does take the cake for starting new
schemes and ideas — a freshman has now un-
dertaken the organization of a drum-*V^r/j^."
Prof. Wood delivered the address at the
Commencement exercises of the Hoboken
High School on Wednesday evening, March
26.
The Preps, have had a raise — they rusticate
now in the drawing rooms— the comers of the
cases in the library having become slippery by
too much usage.
An alumnus writes encouragingly to us,
brightening our shattered hopes with the
cheering news "that there is talent in the
Board." Hoorah !
Spring sports and spring generally come at
the same time; if Stevens doesn't do something
shortly we will have to have the sports without
the spring accompaniment.
A student has Nos. 2, 3, 7 and 9 of the
Eccentric^ which he will sell. Information
concerning this and like notices may be ob-
tained of C. R. Collins, 'Zd.
In connection with the late dynamite con-
spiracies, we might mention, for the benefit of
the authorities, that a Sophomore is going
about with a razor in his boot.
The " bearded man " from '87, when not
hungry, eats for his breakfast two bowls of
oatmeal, some meat, two eggs, fifteen griddle-
cakes, and drinks coffee to fill up on.
Trenton Porcelain Works — Senior — trip-
ping upstairs — purpose unknown — after class
have left — familiarly to his departing class-
mates—a Tra, la, lu. Quick response from
over head, "I see you." — Exit Senior (six steps
at a time.)
Freshmen will please understand that it is
the proper thing to remove their hats when in
the drawing room, as well as when at a recitation
or lecture. Some of them have actually been
noticed talking to the professor with their
hats on.
One of Hoboken's "Finest " — on the night
of the candle factory fire — raising his hel-
met far enough above his eyes to see, soli-
L
52
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
loquized thusly : " Sure, thar must be some
comboostable material over there or else it
couldn't burn."
Something to take the place of embroidered
hat bands, tennis caps, etc., is a neat order of
hand bag for books. Get your best girl to
make you one. Mr. Kletzsch is having one
made — the design and general style can be
noted after " she '* has finished it.
Some of the patriotic citizens of Hoboken
displayed the national flags of Germany and
United States on the Kaiser's birthday — the
American flag in one instance was hoisted up-
side down — probably done so in deference to
Bismark and the pigmeat question.
A Sophomore when asked by a Professor
when he could best spare time for some private
work, carelessly suggested "anytime," and yet
we complain of over-work. Consistency —
where, oh, where ; but never mind, we do have
hard work and plenty of it, notwithstanding.
The class of '85 have presented to the
library a copy of " Fresenius' Quantitative
Analysis" — this will be a valuable addition,
but it will occasion some inconvenience, as
the next " Catalogue " of the library is in
{grGat) presSj but a little delay won't matter.
Owing to failure in getting railroad passes
soon enough, the second trip of the Senior
class, which was to commence Wednesday,
March 5, and take in Trenton, Philadelphia,
Chester and Wilmington, as stated in the
February Indicator, was postponed from
that date to Tuesday, March 11.
The " Stevens Lacrosse Team," though doing
remarkably well as beginners, have not gained
sufficient skill to engage in match games, — as
yet. The other afternoon's work of the Team
vs. Neighboring windows, was a complete
walk-over for the latter, although they were
badly broken up by the operation.
It is said that brass is one of the necessaries
in the make up of a successful editor. The
Indicator Board will surely then always be
a success, it takes about a pound and a half
of brass to reach the editorial sanctum, in the
shape of keys whose designs would compare
well with the keys of some ancient county jail.
Some one says, the study of the German
language is like unto the majestic flow of a
great river — beautiful, melodious and power-
ful. We object to the beauty and melody, but
as to the power of the German lingo, we
agree — for whether you jump into the river
or attempt to study Deutsch, the end is in-
evitable.
Fearing the surplus in the Editorial Treas-
ury will be small, and in view of the Annual
" Toot " of the Board, which will begin shortly
after Commencement, contributions can be
handed to the business editor who also occu-
pies the post of fighting editor. Those con-
tributing may enjoy the privilege of having
their names printed — if so desired.
The chalk in Prof. Wood's room is fast
ruining the students. Three quarters of the
hour is taken up in wishing that either the
chalk or yourself were somewhere where black-
boards are not used, and then the remaining
quarter is too short notice for your neighbor
to study your problem — so, you flunk — it is
demoralizing — do let us have some good chalk.
Professor and Mrs. Leed's reception to
the Sophomore class, on March 12, was an
occasion thoroughly enjoyed by the class.
They continued their revelries after the recep-
tion by escorting some of their number to the
ferry ; returning, they encouraged undue
familiarity with the Hoboken "peeler," and
came near being called to attend another sort
of reception.
Advices from trustworthy sources state the
favorable progress of negotiations between the
U. S. Government and the H. L. & I. Co.,
for the purchase of two of the company's
waterproof fleet, for war purposes. It is sup-
posed they are to be loaned to the English,
to further British interest among the followers
of the False Prophet. The two boats which
are to be sold, known to us as the " James
Rumsey " and " Weehawken," will, in addi-
tion to an extra coat of paint, for protection
against the " slings and arrows " of the bar-
barians, be christened anew as the " Speed-
well" and "Thunderer," respectively — their
mission is to float (if able) about Egypt, and
astonish the natives into submission.
On March 10 our Glee Club showed what
progress they have been making by giving a
public rehearsal in Prof. Wall's room. It
might be said for the enlightenment of some
of our Alumni, that this room has been some-
what enlarged since they used to occupy it.
yet it was almost completely filled with stu-
dents and professors, so great was the interest
taken in the singers, and all present seemed
to enjoy the music heartily. The Glee Club
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
S3
must indeed be commended for their success,
and, above all, our praise and thanks are due
to Brainard, '84, their leader, who has pushed
this matter ahead, even from his Freshman
year. Besides training the boys in their sev-
eral parts, he sings either tenor part, as is
necessary, and also yodels. This he does very
well, and the two pieces in which he favored
us were both encored. The other members
also take their parts well. They are :
First Tenors. \ S'^i^f*' '\
\ McElroy, 87
Second Tenors \ w^^^j^^^^',3
( Morton, 86
First Basses \ Jho^as, '84
\ Bu shorn, 85
Second Basses i ?>r" t^^^* \
( McLean, 85
The programme consisted of a dozen well
chosen pieces.
If there is any student who would like to
join our Glee Club, he would do well to notify
Brainard, '84, of the fact, for the latter is look-
ing for more singers.
•'76.
William Diehl is Demonstrator with Den-
tal Clinic of the University of Pennsylvania.
'77.
Franklin Van Winkle has patented a
new form of transmitting dynamometer, which
will be manufactured by the Edson Recording
Gauge Co., Liberty street. New York, with
which he is connected.
'78.
0. C. Gsantner, Cadet Engineer, U. S. N.,
is now on a two years' cruise on the U. S. S.
" Alliance '* of the North Atlantic squadron.
Edward P. Thompson, of Elizabeth, N. J.,
has, in connection with a Mr. Stanly, invented
an incandescent electric light of improved
form, which will be manufactured by the Union
Switch & Signal Co., of Pittsburgh, Pa. The
principal advantage claimed is simplicity and
cheapness of manufacture, and one of the chief
peculiarities is using animal instead of vege-
table fiber to obtain the carbon.
John Stephens, with the Oregon Railway
and Navigation Co., called at the Institute
during a brief visit home.
•81.
M. J. Martinez is with the Babcock
& Wilcox Co., 31 Cortland street, New York.
Fred. Rosenberg is Assistant Supervisor
of Permanent Way on the Pennsylvania R. R.,
with headcjuarters at Gallitzin, Pa.
F. H. Williams is vice-president to Wil-
liams, White & Co., manufacturers of ma-
chinery, Moline, 111.
•83.
J. E. Sague is with E. D. Leavitt, Jr., of
Cambridgeport, Mass.
H. A. HiCKOK is with the Wallis Iron
Works, Jersey City, N. J.
E. DuQUE Estrada is with the Engineer
Corps, of the Juragua Mining Co., Santiago,
Cuba.
M. McNaughton is assistant to A. C. Hum-
phreys, '81, Engineer of the Pintsch Lighting
Co., New York.
E. N. Wright can be addressed, care von
der Becke & Marsily, Antwerp, Belgium.
J. B. Adger is manager and treasurer of
the Charleston Iron Works, Charleston, S. C.
M. Brooks is very ill with typhoid-fever at
his home in Boston.
L. C. Dawes is on the editorial staff of the
Iron Age., New York.
F. K. Irwin is with the American Ship
Building Co., Philadelphia.
H. M. Plaisted is connected with the Web-
ster Milling Machinery Co., Detroit, Mich.,
and is now engaged in the erection of a mill
at Amherstsburg, Ontario, Canada. The last
address will be good until May 15.
H. P. Ropes is at the Northern Pacific R.
R. Shops, Brainard, Minn.
J. E. Steward is connected with the shops
of the Chicago, St. Louis and Pittsburgh Di-
vision of Pennsylvania R. R., Logansport,
Ind.
Fred. Taylor is chemist to the Midvale
Steel Works, Nicetown, Philadelphia, Pa.
L. S. Randolph is Engineer of Tests to the
New York, Lake Erie and Western R. R.,
Susquehanna, Pa.
54
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
exaMi^sBS.
The Exchange Editor has the pleasure of
making the acquaintance of many new journals,
and prominent among them in fancy dress is
the Polytechnic. The frontispiece, with its array
of instruments and apparatus, strikes joy to the
heart of the editor ; it looks homelike.
The paper will rank with the very best of
our exchanges. None have we seen contain-
ing so much interesting matter and so much
common sense. From one cover to another
there is scarcely anything which will not in-
terest the general reader. The sentiments ex-
pressed in the article on Sunday amusements
we heartily endorse. It might be a very de-
sirable state of affairs when a workingman
would come home after a week's work and sit
down and read the catechism all day Sun-
day ; but unfortunately we have to take hu-
man nature as it is, and the man who labors
all the week is going to have some recreation ;
and, as the Polytechnic says, if it cannot be in-
nocent enjoyment, such as is afforded by our
reading-rooms, art galleries and museums, it
will, in too many cases, be the gin mill. Ar-
ticle number two of " Yarns by the Sporting
Editor,'* is a very interesting story, and is very
well written, with the exception of a few ex-
pressions which have a rather stiff, stereotyped
form. The poem on Wendell Phillips is a
well finished and a feeling tribute. It seems
rather hard that anyone, after having been
helped over the examination chasm by the
crib plank, should pull it from under the feet
of the luckless ones coming after, as is done
by the author of " Cribs," an expose of the
various dodges resorted to to get through ex-
aminations. We are afraid that the author will
not win the warm approbation of his fellow
students, although he may earn the gratitude
of the professors. If the " /*i?/y " exchanges
with its sister institution, the Adelphi Acad-
emy, we would recommend to them in the last
month's journal of the latter institution an ar-
ticle on adjectives. It is rather hard on the
hoary, venerable old Coliseum to inflict on it
the airy adjective "elegant."
The Bowdoin Orient is largely devoted to
matters of local interest, but contains some
articles for the general reader, among which
is a very sensible paper on the political duties
of educated men. To every thinking person
it is evident that the neglect with which poli-
tical (|uestions are treated by our more intel-
ligent people cannot be without an evil effect.
As the Orient reminds the reader, political af-
fairs, if neglected by those who are competent
and upright, will be diligently looked after by
those who are ignorant and evil-dispositioned,
and it is the place of the voter to realize this
and look out for his own interests. He must
abide by laws, and is worse than a fool if he
does not look after their making. The ex-
panse of prose in the magazine is broken by a
pleasing little poem, '* At Eventide." The re-
maining matter is well gotten up, and the
magazine generally is a success.
We envy the students of the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology their good fortune, of
which we are informed in the first editorial of
the Tech,^ that of receiving instruction in Poli-
tical Economy. To our mind no branch of
instruction is of more importance than this,
and, as is presented by the Tech.y when political
questions of such weight are to be decided,
such instruction is doubly interesting and of
the greatest value. The present number of
the magazine is by no means surfeited with
long articles, nor are those contained of the
most interesting nature, but still there is con-
siderable good matter. One very good feature
is a statement of promintnt articles in leading
journals and magazines of the day, giving the
reader a fair idea of the leading literature
from which any of especial interest may be
selected.
The single story in the College Argus looks
rather lonely sandwiched in between a formid-
able array of editorials on one hand and miscel-
laneous articles on the other, protected only
by the heralding poem of two verses and the
appendage, " A Would-be College Tough."
We admire the distribution of matter, how-
ever, the story with its weighty subject being
arranged as a climax ; the reader is lifted
gently out of the editorials by the poem, and
as gently lowered by the " Tough " into the
miscellany. Spruce up next time, Argus,
Take a dose of licorice water and see if you
cannot get a little more filling in the sand-
wich. A very good thing is the selection of
poems from their exchanges. Only oh seeing
them all together can one realize what a pro-
digious amount of talent is wasting itself,
" not on the desert air," but on the college
journal.
The Chronicle^ of the University of Michi-
gan, appears in a dress which is original, and
in general very pleasing. The only point to
be criticised is the coloring, the combination
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
55
appearing rather weak. Might not that straw
color be changed for some deeper shaHe or
some other color ? Wich regard to contents,
these are voluminous and of very fair quality.
We like the tone of the editorial on base-ball,
although sorry that any such opinion must be
expressed of the amateur associations of that
part of the country. We admire the good
grace with which the writer accepts the posi-
tion of the students in athletic matters and the
disposition manifested to aid in promoting
home excellence, and hope that the students
may soon be able to place themselves in the
very foremost rank. The " Locals " are very
full — all departments of the university being
well represented.
In the University Magazini there is a quan-
tity of edicorial and miscellaneous matter, but
not much general reading. The chief feature
in this line is a rather indigestible story of a
murderer being turned aside from his bloody
purpose by the sight of the badge of the col-
lege fraternity to which he belongs, on his in-
tended victim's vest ; the moral evidently is to
join some college society. This impressive
little anecdote nearly had its effect on the ex-
change editor, who, although only a college
editor, clings to life, and he almost resolved to
seek admission to some society. On second
thought, however, it occurred to him that al-
though joining would render him a little more
safe from being murdered by his own society,
still in the eyes of rival ones his scalp would
be of infinitely increased value, and this con-
sideration altered his determination. The re-
maining contents are fair, although the inser-
tion of a little more general matter, jokes, clip-
pings, etc., would be a decided improvement.
The University Courier^ of Kansas Univer-
sity, favorably impresses one upon a hasty
glance, and the good impression is not lost on
a closer examination of the contents. The
March number opens with two excellent ar-
ticles, good in thought and expression, the first
under the heading, " Our National Paradox —
Legalized Lawlessness," and the second on
"Constructive Genius." The former article
is a presentation and consideration of the dan-
gers to our government from an excess of lib-
erty, constituting, in the language of the
writer, "legalized lawlessness." The remedy
proposed by the writer for the danger which
is incurred in giving to ignorant persons the
right to vote, is to make education the neces-
sary qualification. This would be seemingly
an excellent thing, but there is unfortunately
no likelihood of its becoming a law, and in
view of this unlikelihood, smce every man
must have a vote, the best thing to do is to
enforce the law for the compulsory education
of children, to make men competent to exer-
cise their right.
Our scientific and engineering exchanges
given below are, as usual, full of valuable
matter. Owing to lack of time, we are unable
to review them as they should be, but in our
next issue and thereafter their leading articles
will be announced, and, as far as practicable,
reviewed.
We acknowledge the receipt of the follow-
ing journals : Concordiensis^ Amherst Student^
Adelphian^ University Magazine^ Oberlin Re-
view^ De Painv Monthly^ North Western ^ Ma-
disonensis Queens College fournal ; and of sci-
entific journals : Electrical Jfeviav, Mechanics
and American Machinist,
GBIPPrF^GS.
A paper published in Amherst College has
the following incident : " He was a senior,
and as he fetched up at the bottom of those
slippery steps, he ejaculated : ** Hell (just
then a professor came gliding around the cor-
ner) is paved with good resolutions." The
professor smiled blandly, went to his room,
and gave that student ten. — Ex.
Snodd's coffee pot boiled over and burned
his hand the other day, and now he is getting
himself generally disliked by telling people he
was hurt by the eruption of Java. — Lampoon,
Stable keeper — " By the way, shall I put in
an extra buffalo ?" English blood — ** Couldn't
you let me 'ave an 'orse, you know. Er — er
— rather not drive a buffalo first time, you
know." — Ex.
The latest slander on the dude is, that one
bumped his head against a cobweb stretched
across the street, and had to be carried home
with a cracked skull. — The Hoosier.
When the enterprising butcher's assistant
** set up on his own hook," did he find a
comfortable seat l—PucJk,
** Boil down this stuff about forests," said
the managing editor, handing a bundle of
manuscript to a reporter. A few seconds later
the editor received the following : " The
way to preserve our forests — don't cut them
down. — Ex,
I*
56
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
A masquerade
A sophomore,
A dizzy female ** dancer ;"
His heart is struck.
She hits the cord,
Throughout the eve he haunts her.
*Tis two o'clock,
All masks are raised,
She draws hers off with vigor ;
He's paralyzed,
Dumbfounded, dazed,
When he beholds a — nigger.
— Ex,
Prevailing colors — Green (before examina-
tions) and blue (after). — The Adelphian.
Oscar Wilde asserts that his poetry will be
read when Shakespeare is forgotten. Pos-
sibly, but not before, — Philadelphia Chronicle,
A boy, a mrl,
A wavy curl
Blown out by the wanton wind ;
A waist, an arm.
Sure what's the harm
If arm about the waist were twined ?
A blush, a kiss.
One more I wish.
The father toward them gently stole —
A scream, a shout,
A foot let out,
The impress left of his boot sole.
— Kenyan Advance,
IFRB 601lliESB W0RllE).
Amherst. — Seventy members of the Massa-
chusetts Legislature made their annual visit
to Amherst recently. Spelling reform is
needed at Amherst ; at a recent lecture a stu-
dent was directed by the writing on his ticket
to the " Galerry." The Faculty of Amherst
has declined to take any action whatever in
reference to the " Regulations for Inter-Col-
legiate Athletic Sports." Amherst has
raised $120 for the workman who was recently
severely injured by falling from a scaffold
while working on the new college gymnasium.
Columbia. — Harvard has accepted the chal-
lenge for an eight-oared race. Pneumatic
rowing-machines have been placed in the
gymnasium. An effort by the Columbia
freshmen to fine absentees from class-meetings,
has proved unsuccessful. The Columbiad
has made its appearance. A banjo club
has been formed at Columbia. The class
8^35- 15- The Law School contains twenty-
one graduates of Princeton, twenty-two of
Harvard, twenty-five of Yale and forty-nine
of Columbia. A new sidereal clock hat
just been mounted in the observatory.
Columbia is next to the University of Teu9
in wealth. Her endowment now amounts to
$5,000,000. She was organized in 1856, and
the original endowment raised by lottery. It
is expected that she will have 2,000 studenH
next fall.
Harvard. — Harvard proposes changing its
four years' course to three. The President's
salary is to be increased by the interest on
$60,000, raised for that purpose. Harvaid
received $173,000 last year from term dues
alone. The vote of the Faculty on the
athletic resolutions was twenty- three to five in
favor of them. The students are nearly unani-
mous against this action of the Faculty. A
petition has been circulated and extensively
signed, and other measures have been taken
to induce the Faculty to rescind their action
in the matter.
Yale. — Knee breeches will be worn at the
senior promenade. Yale and Princeton
about the same in reference to the entrance
requirements. Yale is to have an illustrated
paper. Prof. Wheeler recently stated at a
college dinner that, twenty-five years ago, the
average Yale student was a long-haired indi-
vidual, wrapped in a blanket shawl.
General. — At a meeting of the Society of
Arts of the Massachusetts Institute of Tech-
nology, March 13, Mr. Delany, of New York,
exhibited in operation his new system of syn-
chronous multiplex telegraphy. The Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania has 1,044 students.
The Lehigh University is to have a glee
club. A base ball nine has been formed
by the young lady students at Hallowell Class-
ical Seminary, Maine. Lehigh has applied
for admission to the Inter- Collegiate Lawn
Tennis Association. Oxford University has
decided to grant to women the same examina-
tion for admission as is accorded to men.
A number of Dartmouth Juniors have been
suspended for dishonesty in examinations.
William and Mary C'ollege, of Virginia,
has been closed. This college was chartered
in 1693, and is but a few years younger than
Harvard. The United States has 190 col-
lege papers. Miss Alice Freeman, President
of '86 at Columbia is in debt to the extent of at Wellesley, is a Doctor of Philosophy.
THE ST J
niCA TOR.
Stevens Institute of Technology,
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING,
POUNDED B-y THE LATE EDWIN A. STEVENS,
»T —
HO BO KEN, N. J.
HENHY r.TOKTON VV- D ,
<• B»yiw»rlm ^aA 111.
STEVENS HIGH SCHOOL.
ACADEMIC DEPA.RTMENT
STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,
mVKR STHBET. bet. Sth ami Stk. ROBOKEN.S.J..
OPENS SEPTEMBER 17. 1884.
nod iSLli of S^yijm.>nr
Sxamjoacloaa Jot Afimi
INSfRUenOH GIVEN IN THS ;,
HAND AKL
JUNIOR DEPARTMENT,
SENIOR DEPARTMENT,
'/ODERN LANGUAGES. I" P'if^-
DRAWlNi;.
- SeO.OO PER ANNUM.
- SIEO.OO PER ANNUM.
ri-tan Inolotld aU C-hH ■kiiUxb.
Fcr >::Ataiofuiea «pidy U Ut« LlBnirUii ot SUWbs lavUtoW.
THE
jgflie
ve^^
Mdi(ial@R
VoL I.
HOBOKEN, N. J., MAY, 1884.
No. 5.
rVBUUfBD ON THK
' mm OF EACN MONTH, DURING THE COLLEGE YEAR,
BY THE STUDENTS OF
^Vbd^ In^titate of Tec{noIogi|.
3B(ftor0.
. . . C. W. WHITINO, '84.
. A. P. KLETZSCH. '84.
EDm», .... JOHN M. RUSBY, '85.
1.0CNI 3B(ft0t8.
ROLLIN NORRI8, *85.
P. MOiRrroN, •m. c. r. collxns, '86.
LADD PLUMLBY, '87.
-»••>■
:— St-IO p&r Ymt, in AdvMoa. Sinole Co|>y, 20 Cents.
•• Ami (yet m Setm^ CIsm Skater.
SmkxripHoHJ taken by the business manager^ who tviii
~ ike paper to any address , prepaid^ on receipt of
copies earn be obtaitted at LuthifCs l*ook store^
MhMkem^ N.J.
T3lr paper will be sent regularly to subscribers until
^ §a Ar disevntinmed.
will please immediately notify us of any
im ikeir address or failure to receive the paper
t-
i
.PwwJksMort, ahtmni, undergraduates, and friends, are
'wUtei l» enUribute literary articles, items, verses, dis-
wMams afemmnt topics^ and personal notes,
itia pasrHcukady desired that Alumni furnish us itn'th
f iiimi 9>f interest concerning themselves and every one
Mm connected with the Institute,
ii is §xpecttd thai all articles shall be ivritfen in a
MM tone,
wriiei^s full name, as well as his nom de plumk,
t mecompamy the article^ as assurance of j*ood faitli
txHMHty ; but ii will not be published, unless desired.
do not necessarily endorse sentiments ex-
w the tutorial and exchange columns.
. AMiAiij e»i invited to send us books and magazines
^ maHte or revicm,
X^mmfet^taniribuiioHs, subscriptions, advertisements,
^^^^^sjmrcemmumeations by mail, should be addressed
^TlB Stbvini Indicator. Stez'ens Institute, Hoboken,
^tf/OTJWiKyAiiy to secure the business patronage of
7?y_**" ■^■*» will find it to their advantage to
^^^ f*^ ^doerHsing rates.
WE must again call to the students' atten-
tion that the time for preparing for the
inter-collegiate games is very short, and that
we must be represented in this year's games or
lose our place in the association. Brace up !
We cannot afford to rest on the laurels which
the foot ball team won for Stevens last fall,
but must keep at it, and not fall behind in
base ball, the recognized spring game. There
is one thing certain, and that is, the team
fnust play together as a team, and not split up,
as the foot ball team was often compelled to
do, for want of enough men to make an op-
posing side. Let the whole college play
against the picked nine and compel them to
work individually, each for his place on the
team.
It ought to be understood that the nine is
subject to change in case any man commences
to lag behind or a better one comes to the
front, thus giving all a chance to get a place
on the team.
In regard to the proposed spring games, we
must push forward and get the thing in proper
shape very soon, or we will get left, by reason
of not having contestants in trim for the meet-
ing of May 24, at which it is to be hoped
Stevens will come to the front in such a man-
ner as to surprise even ourselves. We cannot
impress too strongly on the minds of the stu-
dents the importance of having representatives
at this meeting.
It has been decided by those in charge to
hold our own spring games on the 17th of
May, and as it is from this meeting that we
expect the best men to come to the front, it is
to be hoped that all who can will take advan-
tage of this opportunity to enter for the game
at which they think they have the best chance
or are best fitted foe, whether it be running.
58
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
jumping or anything else. We have spoken
to a number, and have tried to persuade the
doubtful ones to enter for some of the events,
but with small success, the universal excuse
being " I have not time." We fail to see how
a moderate degree of exercise can be instru-
mental in lowering any man's standard in his
college work. It is a well known fact that
some exercise is absolutely necessary to keep
the body in a condition able to stand success-
fully the mental strain which is put upon us
here at Stevens ; and if, instead of scattering
his efforts at muscular development, the student
will only combine them and direct his atten-
tion to a very few things, he will not spend any
more of his time than he used to do before,
and soon will become proficient in the few
games to which he has given his attention, and
able, no doubt, to assist in holding up the
record of Stevens in the field when she has
occasion to meet other colleges in friendly
athletic encounters.
» ♦»*
WE would like to see more interest taken in
the Indicator by the Seniors. It is sur-
prising to us that men who have had such ex-
perience as they are supposed to have about
college affairs should be so reticent and bash-
ful about putting their shoulders to the wheel
and helping to push forward what is univers-
ally acknowledged to be a good thing. When
the above mentioned class have graduated and
taken the various positions in life which
Dame Fortune has assigned to them, they will
be held accountable for all statements which
appear in print over their names. Why not
school yourselves now in the art of being able
to write a clear and comprehensive account
of an experiment or occurrence at a time
when you will not be held to such a strict ac-
count for any mistake you may make in your
statements ? The Seniors, in their varied ex-
perience, must certainly know of some inci-
dents which would be likely to interest their
fellow students. Why not give us the benefit
of your experience? You are reaping the
benefit of other men's experience all the time.
and the least you can do is to lessen the debt
— even if it be only by a small amount — which
you owe to those who have gone before you,
by doing what you can to lighten the labors of
those who have to follow in your wake. The
most of the work contributed to the Indicator
has been given by the lower classes, the upper
classes contributing almost nothing, except,
indeed, considerable amounts of advice of
what ought to be done. The general excuse
is, " I have not time." Well, if the Seniors
have not time to do a little work for the bene-
fit of the college and themselves, please inform
us what we are to expect of the Sophs and
Freshmen ? And yet almost all the work out-
side of the Board is done by these very same
Sophs and Freshmen. Poor excuse. Seniors ;
you will have to try something else, or rather
reform altogether and help to make the col-
lege publication as interesting as possible.
We are unwilling to believe that it is not in
you.
TT7HE students of the institute may consider
1 * themselves fortunate and well favored in
having a Faculty whose rulings are character-
ized by justness and an evident desire to make
institute life as agreeable as is consistent with
earnest work and the amount of study which
the catalogue calls for.
One of the chief features is the apparent
plan to lend aid to a student so long as he
gives evidence of a desire to improve ; but
immediate withdrawal of favor and quick dis-
missal, when in their minds a student has a
great liking for the pleasures of life with too
little regard for the duties. And we still note
with pleasure the more than friendly inter-
course which exists between the members of
the Faculty and the students ; but there is
one rule, established a year ago, that seems
not only unnecessary, but severely unjust to
the student, let him be good or bad, and
which causes considerable trouble. We have
reference to the rule prohibiting a student
from attending shop or experimental work in
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
59
the preliminary terms, if conditioned in any
study at the June examinations.
A moment's consideration will not fail to
show the infinite amount of harm and the
least possible good that can come from such a
course. One of our professors has on several
occasions asked students if they feel that they
will ever amount to anything sufficient to re-
flect credit on the institute, and the catalogue
impresses one with the idea that a graduate
from Stevens must necessarily be a man of
some worth. Now, if this is all to be, how is
it to be accomplished ? Is it by the student's
effort alone, or is the Faculty responsible for
the results of the four years' training ? Each
depends on the other, and so by the encour-
agement of the one and the earnestness of the
other, the course is completed with satisfaction
to both. Now, such has always been the case
until lately, and we do not hesitate to say that
when a student is prohibited from attending the
Preliminary Term, when it is known it is his in-
tention to continue in the college, a vast deal of
harm is done for which there seems no excuse.
The time for examinations for entrance and
the making up of conditions is in the latter
part of September, after the Preliminary Term
is over, and a student, no matter how much
he may desire to work, has to remain idle
until then before he again becomes a student
of the institute. Our Institute prides itself
on its course of practical work, and offers
this as a recommendation for its graduates as
having the advantage over graduates from
other engineering schools, and why, then,
should a rule be made to prevent a student
from enjoying this privilege ?
It appears to our mind that this rule has
been made heedlessly, without considering the
irrecoverable loss which both student and
institute suffer. The matter could be best rem-
edied by abolishing this regulation entirely, or
by giving opportunity for the passing of condi-
tions previous to the Preliminary Terms. We
think this subject of sufficient importance to
merit its consideration by the Faculty, and we
recommend that some change be made.
THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD READING.
In this course of ours, at Stevens, which is
so strictly utilitarian, we are too apt to neglect
that part of a broad education without which
we would not be fitted to take the position in
social life in which our ability as engineers
should some day place us.
The part of education here referred to is
that acquired, and only acquired, by a famili-
arity with the leading poets, essayists and his-
torians.
"Here," as Bacon says, "are the finest
minds giving us the best wisdom of present
and all past ages ; here are intellects gifted
far beyond ours, ready to give us the results
of life-times of patient thought ; imaginations
open to the beauty of the universe, far beyond
what is given us to behold ; characters whom
we can only vainly hope to imitate, but whom
it is one of our highest privileges of life to
know."
Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry all
educate the mind, and fit us for the battles of
life, but they do not afford the culture, nor
mould the disposition and character, as do the
classics, and in following these too closely, we
are apt to become too practical and material,
and forget that there are things even more
profound and grander than these. This prob-
ably accounts for the fact that so many scien-
tists are materialists.
The heart, " the seat of affections and sen-
sibilities," needs education and culture as well
as the mind. The growing tendency of our
age is toward things strictly practical ; and
while this is undoubtedly one of the most im-
portant directions of growth of the human
mind, it is among the possibilities that it may
be carried too far and at the expense of other
essential branches of learning.
But a study of the classics, besides afford-
ing culture, has an eminently practical value.
It enables us to express our ideas clearly and
concisely. Too often do we meet with per-
sons liberally educated, from a practical point
of view, but who, having so neglected the
classics, are scarcely able to frame a sentence
or express a thought without hesitation or re-
petition.
In a course like ours, where there is so much
learned in so short a time, there is Httle or no
opportunity to pursue a regular course of
reading outside of the prescribed studies; but
there are times with us all, as vacations, for
instance, when studies are laid aside and.
6o
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
wishing a relaxation from regular duties, we
take up some lighter reading.
These are the golden opportunities to com-
bine pleasure with something that will be of
lasting benefit.
C. A. P.
OUR BODIES.
Mr. William Blaikie, in a recent article on
" Our Bodies," deplores the lack of thorough
physical training throughout the schools and
colleges of our country. The general athletics,
and the sports which occupy so many of the
students of the colleges, are engaged in by
those who least need them. The amount of
strength required to compete in any of the
ordinary sports is far above that possessed by
the average young man. In reply to the state-
ment that some may benefit by manual labor,
he says : ** Not one in fifty of our school boys
and girls does a day's manual labor in the
whole year round ; indeed, the majority of
them never did one in their lives. They grow,
but they do not develop. It has been argued
that the system of athletics generally pursued
makes those who practice it essentially prize
fighters, champion oarsmer, * wasting their
time and devoting all their thoughts to some
feat of athletic prowess.' " In rebuttal of this
statement, Mr. Blaikie instances President
Eliot and Professor Agassiz, of Harvard, and
Dr. McCosh and Mr. Gladstone. " Yet the
former two did excellent work in their univer-
sity boat. Princeton's famous president, if
our information is correct, rowed in the Dub-
lin university crew, and the British prime min-
ister can now, at seventy-three, probably cut
down more trees in a day than any merchant,
banker, or professional man of his age in the
City of New York, and yet finds time to grapple
with the most intricate and difficult problems
of a territory twice as vast as the whole United
States."
Continuing the argument, the writer says :
" The results of this utter neglect of any sound
system of physical education stand out in al-
most every city home in America. Not one
boy in five is well built, or, unless he is fat,
measures within an inch, often three inches,
as much about the chest or thigh or upper
arm, or weighs within ten pounds as much, as
a well proportioned, vigorous, properly devel-
oped boy of his age should do.
" Scarcely one girl in three ventures to wear
a jersey, mainly because she knows too well
that this tell-tale jacket only becomes a good
figure. Yet the difference in girth between
the developed arm which graces a jersey and
the undeveloped one which does not, in a girl
of the same height and age, is seldom more
than two inches, and often, even, than one,
while the well set chest butgirths the indiffer-
ent one by seldom over three inches. Among
girls, running is a lost art. Yet it is doubtful
if an exercise was ever devised which does
more to beget grace and ease of movement.
** Most girls have weak arms. If they
doubt it, let them try with one hand to push
up once high over their head a dumb-bell
weighing a quarter or even a fifth of their
own weight. Or with both hands catching
hold of a bar or the rung of a ladder, as high
up as they can reach, let them see if they can
pull slowly up till the chin touches the hands.
Yet a moderately strong man at dumb-bells
will push up one weighing over half his own
weight, and some men have managed to put up
more than their own weight ; and as to pulling
up, a girl with developed arms can do it five
or six times with comparative ease, and a boy
with thoroughly good arms two or three times
as many. Both the forearms and the upper
arms of most girls are not so large by an inch
as those of well built girls of their height and
age. Yet in any well regulated gymnasium
we find youths adding in one year an inch, and
even two inches, to the girth of each upper
arm, and half as much to that of each forearm,
while a gain of from three to five inches about
the chest is nothing rare, and all this simply
by less than an hour's daily work, yet which,
besides expanding the lungs, called the vari-
ous muscles of the arms, shoulders, chest, and
all the greater parts of the body into vigorous
play."
Professor Farrow, at West Pomt ; Professor
Andrews, of the Gymnasium of the Young
Men's Christian Association at Brooklyn ; Dr.
Sargent, of Hemenway Gymnasium at Har-
vard University, and Archibald Maclaren, of
the Gymnasium at Oxford University in Eng-
land, all find no difficulty in adding in one
year from an inch to an inch and one-half to
the fore and upper arms, and. three inches to
the girth of chest, of pupils under their charge.
A DREAM.
Speaking of dreams, I had the worst one
last night I ever had. You know that lead-
colored house back of the High School ? Well,
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
6i
it was all about that. I had been trying to
find out what it contained, but could not ;
and I dreamt that I was sitting at the end of
one of the tables in the library, reading over
the library catalogue, when two men, dressed
in white, came up to me and requested that I
step around the comer of the college a mo-
ment.* Jiist as we arrived at the little lead-
colored house, they both laid hold of me and
forced me in through the door. Well, to say
I was surprised at what I saw, don't express
it at all ; I was simply dumbfounded.
There were workmen all over the place,
which had all at once grown to thousands of
times its size, as viewed from the uninitiated
outside. In one corner was a man making an
analysis of the moon ; and thinking that he
would be an interesting subject to question, I
commenced. What was he doing ? Well, he
had been instructed by the king to see what
the moon needed to make it warm, and after
he had found out, he was to send to the sup-
ply office for the necessary material ; he said
he expected to have it all done in a few thou-
sand years. I asked him if he did not think
it a long while. "Oh, no," said he, "my
friend over there has been working on a plan
for the equal distribution of wealth and health
for a much longer time than that, and he does
not expiect to get done for quite some time."
In another part of the room was a pretty
little engine with no visible means of power.
Thinking this might be something new, I went
over to the man who had it in charge and in-
quired what it was. "That," said he, "is a
I>erpetual motion machine ; why, it's as old as
the hills" — noticing my surprise — "we have
had that thing in here for a long time. We
used to have a ball that rolled up hill, but
it got away one day and we have not seen it
since. Funny ; don't you think so ? "
With this remark he went back to his work
of pumping sunlight into a new kind of motor.
In a more remote part of the room was a man
trying to pick up threads and pins from the
carpeted floor ; what was he doing ? Well,
he was straightening things up a bit. There
had been a dressmaker here for a few hun-
dred years, preparing dresses for Venus' re-
ception, and he had been picking up scraps
and pins ever since ; he thought he might get
through in time to be on hand when the new
cupola was to be dedicated. Further down
the room was a railing, enclosing about a
dozen men who appeared to have nothing in
particular to do ; but, on inquiry, I found that
they were a supply of referees for the various
college games, men with whom no fault could
be found by either side, and they were here to
lend their moral influence. So far, this was
the only factor in this truly wonderful build-
ing that seemed familiar. There were so
many wonderful articles in the place that it
was impossible to see them in one visit.
However, I went down the stairs into what
seemed to be the forge shops, and, seeing
sortie men at work on a long piece of steel,
miles in length, I asked the man in charge
what it was for. "Humph," said he, "young
man, do you suppose the axis of this earth is
going to last forever; you don't know, eh?
Well, I'll tell you ; it is not, and this piece of
steel is to take the place of the present axis,
which has been in use for some time ; you
think it is a little short, do you ? " This I
could not tell, as I was unable to see the other
end, but presumed so. "Well, you are right;
it is a great deal too short ; but after we
magnetize it, it will be long enough, I warrant
you. We are going to make it hollow, so that
we can establish an express line inside, to
supply food, etc., to arctic explorers, when
they get to the North Pole." " Will they ever
get there ? " I asked. "Oh, yes ; we are mak-
ing a new machine for thawing ice especially
for that purpose ; it will be done in a few
centuries. Besides, you see that machine over
in the corner ? Well, that is a new magnetic
motor. It has a magnet in the centre, and
when we start it, it will go straight up to the
North Pole." Just at this moment one of the
workmen hit me on the head with a piece of hot
steel, and I awoke and found myself all in a heap
on the floor, having rolled out of bed, striking
my head on the corner of my trunk. Em.
«^ » »
MY EXPERIENCE.
I suppose you have all been up to the roller
skating rink. I was up there the other night.
My girl asked me to take her with me, but I
thought I wouldn't, as I remembered the disas-
trous experience I had the last time I took her
there. That was when the American Institute
Fair was being held. Of course, as soon as
we got inside the door I made a bee-line for
the machinery, and when we got there, tried to
explain to her something about an engine. I
shall never attempt such a thing again, and I
advise you not to do it, even once.
" You see," said I, " this machine "
" What machine ?" she interrupted; "where's
the machine ?"
i
62
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
" Why, here," I replied.
" But you can't sew with that, can you ?'* she
asked.
" Sew with it ?" I said ; " sew with that
thing ? Why, that's a fifty horse power steam
engine."
But I thought that machines were to sew
with ?" she answered.
"Well, that's a different kind of machine;
there's more than one kind. Rankine defines
a machine as something made to produce mo-
tion against resistance."
" Why, how funny."
" What's funny ?"
*' Why, the resistance."
" Well, I don't see anything particularly
funny about the resistance. What's funny
about it ?"
" Oh, no, no; I didn't mean the resistance;
I meant Rankine."
" Oh, yes! Rankine is funny — very funny.
He is about the most amusing author I have
ever read. Why, our class used to read his
books all the time. In fact, they got so inter-
ested in his witty remarks that they used to
miss all their other lessons."
"I should like to read his works ever so
much. What makes that engine go .>"
" Steam."
"Why, isn't that queer! Would a tea kettle
run if it was put on wheels ?"
" Well, I don't know. I've heard of tea
' drawing,' but I don't know how much it could
get away with."
These questions were kept up until we
reached the ore crusher, and she said that was
a " horrid thing," and then dragged me around
for two mortal hours to look at the false hair
exhibit.
But when I concluded not to take her to the
roller skating rink it was not because I was
afraid she would take me around to look at
false hair. All there was there was in use, and
one girl will never tell you to look at another's
false hair. She is afraid you will admire it.
My sole reason for not taking her was that I
hadn't yet learned to skate, and I didn't want
to make a fool of myself before her. So J
went alone, and as soon as I got there I checked
my overcoat and hired a pair of skates. Then
I gave a small boy ten cents to put them on.
As soon as the aforesaid small boy had disap-
peared the left one dropped off. I had to give
another boy ten cents to put it on again. He
hadn't been gone more than five seconds when
the right one dropped off. It cost me just
sixty cents to have those skates put on so they
would stay "put." Then I stood up and
looked about me. I was on a platform, and
the floor upon which every one was skating
was about two feet below me. As there were
signs up all over saying that no skating was
allowed on the platform, I concluded I had
better try to get down on the floor. I was
about to strike out when I observed to my
horror that the skates were going in an oppo-
site direction. As I didn't know how to stop
I had to go with them. They landed me at the
candy counter, and so I had to buy some
candy, just to look as if I had come there on
purpose, you know. As I was getting some
money out of my pocket to pay for it, the in-
fernal skates commenced to go backwards. I
think they would have taken me outside in the
street that time if the girl at the candy counter
hadn't screamed, and a policeman collared me
and dragged me back, saying that " I oughter
be ashamed to try to run off like that without
paying."
This didn't improve my temper to any great
extent, and so when an attendant came up to
me and informed me that no skating was
allowed on the platform, I replied rather an-
grily, "You infernal idiot! don't you see I've
been trying to get down there for the last fif-
teen min — " Just then my feet slipped from
under me and I sat down. The attendant was
very kind. He lifted me up and helped me
to get down on the floor where the others were
skating.
But when I got there it was a glori-
ous thing to glide around the building with
the other skaters. It was a glorious thing
when the girl in front of me fell down and I
tripped over her, and the fellow right behind
me tripped over me, and fell on my new silk
hat. It was a glorious thing for me to have
to get up and apologize to that girl for having
tripped me up. It was a glorious thing for
me to straighten out that silk hat and reflect
that it had only been worn once. In fact, it
was all so glorious that I took off my skates
and started for home. When I went to get
my overcoat I found that there were two
places, side by side, where coats were checked,
and I didn't remember which one I had left
mine in. However, I went confidently to the
one nearest me, and handed in my check.
The man eyed me suspiciously for a moment
and then said :
" Where did you get this check ?"
" I thought I got it here," I replied.
" Well, I think you found it, or else you're
a pickpocket and stole it," he said.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
63
That made me a little madder than I was
before, and so I said :
" Give me that check back, do you hear ?
Come out here and Til break your neck. It's
a wonder you get anybody to come up here if
you insult them like that.'.'
He gave me the check and I went to the
next place and got my coat, and as I put it on
and walked homeward I realized what a bless-
ing roller skating indeed is.
Bessie Turner.
* # »■»
THE LAST OF THE PROPHETS.
I found the Chief Signal Officer in his
laboratory, exhausted by the hard work of
the day. His majestic person was somewhat
placidly disposed in a great easy chair. His
feet rested on top of a barrel, which was cov-
ered with a copy of Hay den's expensive Atlas
of Colorado. In the lap of the Chief Signal
Officer was curled a big black cat, which
purred as he listlessly stroked its back, and
showed its teeth when he happened to stroke
the fur the wrong way. On the Chief Signal
Officer's left shoulder was perched a Plymouth
Rock rooster. Several hens of various breeds
were scratching the floor under the table, in
the futile endeavor to extract nutriment from
an oil cloth carpet. The Chief Signal Officer
motioned me to' a chair, and hurled a volume
of his annual report for 1882 at a noisy duck
which was screaming in one comer of the
room.
General," I began, " is it true — "
He interrupted me with a peremptory ges-
ture. " Hush," he said.
I became silent. Through the closed
window the stentorian voice of an able-bodied
donkey was distinctly audible. The donkey
brayed four times, each time louder than
before. The Chief Signal Officer tumbled
the cat out of his lap, made a few hurried
notes in a memorandum book, and then
turned to me again.
" General," said I, " will you permit me to
ask if the statement that you have — "
Just then the rooster on the left shoulder of
the Chief Signal Officer began to flap his
wings and crow. The Chief Signal Officer
touched a hand bell.
" Send Dun woody here at once," he said to
the child of Africa who answered the sum-
mons. " Now, sir, I am at your service," he
remarked to me.
"General," I began once more, **it is cur-
rently reported that you have — "
I paused, for the hair on the top of my head
was at this instant firmly clutched from above,
and held in a tenacious and constantly tight-
ening grip. I started up in amazement.
"Sit still! sit still!" shouted the Chief
Signal Officer. " It is only one of my bats —
the lower Mississippi Valley bat, I think.
Don't move a muscle till we see what the
lower Mississippi Valley bat is going to
do."
I sat patiently in the interests of science
for at least five minutes. Then the unpleasant
bird, beast or reptile slowly relaxed his hold
upon my hair and flew away with a dismal
whirr. The Chief Signal Officer rang his
bell again, scrawled a few words on a tele-
graph blank and handed it to the messenger.
Well, sir, now what can I do for you ?"
" General," I said, " you can tell me, if
you please, whether the public may credit the
report that you have — "
" Ah ! here is Dunwoody at last," exclaimed
the Chief Signal Officer, the anxious expres-
sion of his countenance giving place to a look
of relief. " Dunwoody, the black cat has
mewed thrice in three minutes."
" You don't say so, sir," remarked the new-
comer, respectfully.
"Copernicus is crowing rather hoarsely
this evening."
Dunwoody cast a critical glance at the
Plymouth Rock rooster. " That is a bad
prognostic," he observed. "And I think, all
things considered, we had better weigh How-
gate."
Dunwoody immediately approached the bar-
rel on which the Chief Signal Officer's feet had
been resting, and removed the cover. Both
the lieutenant and the chief peered in long
and intently. Then Dunwoody took from a
hook on the wall a small landing-net, with
which he proceeded to drag the contents of
the barrel.
After several ineffectual efforts he scooped
o^it a small but healthy codfish, dripping with
brine, and floundering helplessly as Dunwoody
laid it on the platform of a small pair of
scales.
" Sixteen and three-quarters," he said.
"Do you mind telling me," I asked, "why
you call that fish Howgate ? "
" Because we keep him out of sight," said
the Chief Signal Officer hastily, without look-
ing up from his memorandum book. " Let's
see ! The noon entry is fifteen-half ; two
64
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
o'clock, fifteen-quarter. Dunwoody, that d — d
cod has gained a pound and a half since
two o'clock.'*
" My gracious ! " said Dunwoody.
The greatest alarm was now visible upon the
Chief Signal Officer's face. It was evident
that the portent was extraordinary. Returned
to me, as if for sympathy.
" What does it indicate ? " I ventured to in-
quire.
" Indicate, man ? " he shouted. " It in-
dicates that a devil of a gale is brewing
somewhere. It is an ascertained fact that a
codfish takes in ballast before a storm. But a
pound and half in four hours ! The records
of the office show nothing like it. Why, the
fish gained less than six ounces in the seven
hours preceding the great tornado of Septem-
ber ! Send out a general alarm, Dunwoody,
without an instant's delay. Order up the
cautionary signals all along the Atlantic coast.
Warn the observers at the lake ports ! Pre-
dict areas of unprecedentedly low pressure on
the southeast Rocky Mountain slope, in the
Upper Lake region, in the Florida Peninsula,
and the St. Lawrence Valley I Predict 'em
everywhere ! D it, predict anything you
please, Dunwoody ! You can't draw it
too strong ! A pound and a half in four
hours ! "
Dunwoody rushed off as though a cow-
catcher was at his heels, and the Chief Signal
Officer began to write message after message
like one whose life depended upon his celer-
ity. The lively tick of telegraph instruments
sounded in the next room. People hurried to
and fro in the corridors. There was every in-
dication of sudden and remarkable activity
throughout the headquarters of the weather
bureau. At last the Chief Signal officer arose
and drew a long breath.
" Phew ! " he said. " Everything has been
done that can be done. All we can do now
is to catch on to something by our eye-teeth
and wait till the racket's over." Then he per-
ceived me again. " Hallo ! " he said, rather
curtly. " You here still ? Well, what can^I
do for you now ? "
" General," said I, " I called to learn
whether it is true that the Signal Office has
just procured a new Bulgarian bullfrog, who
tells you by the way he jumps which way the
wind is going to blow ? "
"Certainly, it is true," replied the Chief
Signal Officer ; " and he affords some of our
most valuable prognostics. He is a great ac-
cession to the service. You can see him if
you like ; he ought to be somewhere about
the floor."
We searched the floor, but found no bullfrog.
The Chief Signal Officer once more rang his
bell.
** George," said he, " we can't find Sir Isaac
Newton. Where is Sir Isaac Newton ?"
The darkey grinned.
" De bullfrog, Gen'l ?" said he. " De bull-
frog 'peared too lazy to prognostercate dis
afternoon, and I done put him in de barrel to
soak 'long wid de fish."
With a remark indicating a limited area of
uncommonly high pressure, the Chief Signal
Officer kicked over the barrel. A gallon or
or two of brine rushed out, and on the tail of
the flood the codfish came sprawling, but there
was no Bulgarian bullfrog there.
Our minds grasped the situation simultane-
ously. We exchanged a look of intelligence.
The Chief Signal Officer sank back in his arm-
chair, and his face was very white.
" O, Lord !" he faintly groaned, " Howgate
has swallowed Sir Isaac Newton !"
That is why the terrible cataclysm recently
predicted by the Signal Service Office did not
come to time. The prognostication was based
on misleading* data. The codfish gained a
pound and one-half in four hours, because he
swallowed the bullfrog. But what a tornado
it would have been ! — Ex.
THE LEGEND OF SNAKE HILL.
Snake Hill, which rises abruptly out of the
meadows of the Hackensack, accompanied by
a smaller one some few hundred yards distant,
has often been noticed on account of the re-
markable position it occupies in the swampy
land surrounding. With much truth we may
compare it to a solitary island in an ocean of
marshes.
One bright day during that loveliest season
of the year so appropriately called Indian
summer, I was strolling over the wooded por-
tion of this hill, almost imagining myself in
some yet unexplored region, and barely real-
izing the fact that the great city was so near.
Standing on a rocky cliff on the southern side
of the hill and looking over the meadows, I
was wondering whether there were any old
Indian legends connected with the hill, when
I perceived an old man to my right hand side
gathering a bundle of the fragrant herb
known as pennyroyal. On speaking with him
I learned that he was one of the oldest inmates
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
65
ot the poorhouse on the other side of the hill,
and in further conversation I elicited the fol-
lowing legend, which I am confident has never
before been seen in print :
Among the first white settlers along the
shores of the Hudson was one Jacob Klauser,
a well built and substantial looking man of
some forty years of age. He was very deter-
mined, and, having once made up his mind,
nothing short of a miracle could induce him
to change it ; besides, he was inclined to
be overbearing toward his neighbors, and
especially toward the friendly Indians, whom
he treated almost insultingly. Ind,eed, the
only good point about him was that he had a
beautiful daughter, a most charming maiden,
whose lot it seemed to be to make all happy
with whom she came in contact. So kind and
civil was she to the Indians that they named
her Tawaso, the gentle Tawaso.
Kahanota was a chief of no small note in
that region ; his name was ever linked with
noble and courageous deeds, and he was never
known to act unmanly toward either friend
or foe. It was his fortune (or misfortune) to
fall deeply in love with Klauser's daughter,
and she, being aware of the fact, was not un-
willing that he should continue his attentions.
After several months had passed, during
which he had often seen her and made known
his love, Kahanota called at Klauser's cabin,
bearing as a present a deer and an eagle,
which he had shot. Making known his inten-
tions, and declaring his loyalty, he asked the
hand of the fair Tawaso.
Klauser, in a towering passion, at even the
thought of such a thing, rudely repulsed him,
and commanded him never again to enter his
door. Kahanota retired, but planned an
elopement with the girl, and one night bore
her safely to his wigwam, situated on the hill,
whose Indian name was Wakonak, known now
to us as Snake Hill.
After the discovery of the deed, Klauser
learned the place of Kahanota's retreat, and
instantly repaired thither. It was no easy task,
however, to reach Wakonak, for the swamps
which now appear to us so bare were then a
forest of trees and tangled underwood.
However, after much delay, he arrived at
the hill, and running up to the summit found
it deserted ; Kahanota and his companions
had fled. Klauser then rushed down the side
of the hill to the river bank, just in time to
see a company of canoes in the middle of the
river, headed up stream. At first, frantic with
rage, he knew not what to do, but then, mas-
tering himself, he thought of a plot. Taking
advantage of Kahanota's strict sense of honor
and truth, he made signals of peace to him,
asking him to return and he would make a
treaty, forgiving all.
Kahanota's companions begged him not
to return, assuring him that the white
man would prove false ; but the chief bade
them be silent. **What, will a man lie to
Kahanota ?" said he. They pulled ashore,
therefore, and leading the girl, Kahanota ad-
vanced toward Klauser, who received them
with every manifestation of friendliness.
"Come up to the brow of the hill, where
the sun may witness our treaty of peace,
brother," said he, and the trusting Indian as-
cended with him to the top of the cliff, ac-
companied by Tawaso, who kept her hand in
his.
There, surrounded by Kahanota's family,
the two swore eternal peace and friendship.
After some further talk, Klauser, watching his
opportunity, rushed at Kahanota and pushed
him over the precipice. There was a shout,
and several of the younger Indians stepped
forward to serve the treacherous white man
the same way, but the older ones in the com-
pany restrained them, and addressing Klauser
in tones of the deepest contempt, Kahanota's
brother said :
" The pale face is too base a dog to deserve
death at the hands of even his enemies ; let
him return with his daughter to his place.
We will travel up the river and seek a new
home. But look you here, pale face,'* he con-
tinued, " this hill, Wakonak, shall your people
inhabit, indeed, but all who do so shall be of
your poor ones, your wicked, or your de-
mented !"
With these words the Indians departed, and
Klauser returned home with his daughter.
The poor girl, however, lost her reason and
died of a broken heart. Klauser soon after-
ward left the place and was seen no
more.
With these words the story closed :
" We are standing on that very cliff now,"
said the old man, " and you noticed, did you
not, the poorhouse, the reform school, and
the lunatic asylum on the other side of the
hills ?"
The old man then left me, and I stood for
some time looking over the brink of the preci-
pice and running over again in my mind the
legend of Wakonak.
Albitan.
66
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
WORTH A LICKING.
Some years ago, in Georgia, that band of
Christians known as Ascension ists were having
a grand revival. One day when the meeting
was in full force a storm came up, and a
young gentleman who was out hunting with his
servant took refuge in the church vestibule.
Being curious to see the service, the two hun-
ters crept up into the gallery, and there hid in
a place where they could observe without
being observed.
" Come, Lord, come ; our robes are ready.
Come, Lord, come,** cried the preacher, while
all present gave a loud " Amen."
'* Marse Gabe,'* whispered CufFy, lifting his
hunting horn to his mouth, " let me gib dem
jist one toot."
"Put that horn down, or 1*11 break your
head,** replied the master, in a whisper.
The horn dropped by Cuffy*s side, and
again the minister cried :
" Come, Lord, come ; we are all ready for
Thy coming. Come, Lord, come."
* Do, massa, Gabe — do jist lemme gib *em
jist one little toot,** pleaded Cuffy, wetting his
lips and raising the horn.
"If you don't drop that horn, Cuffy, 1*11
whip you with an inch of your life,** whispered
the exasperated master.
" Blow, Gabriel, blow ; we are ready for
His coming. Blow, Gabriel, blow,*' pleaded
the minister.
Cuffy could no longer resist the temptation,
and sent a wild peal ringing from end to end
of the church ; but long before its last echo
died away his master and himself were the only
occupants of the building.
"Ts ready fur de licking, Massa Gabe,*'
said Cuffy, showing every tooth in his head,
" for I *clare to gracious it's worf two lickings
to see de way common farm cattle kin git ober
de ground wid skeared * Scensionists* behind
dem."
<^»»
We do not desire to raise any false hopes in
the minds of our fellow students, but it does
look very much like business when we hear
of measurements being taken, from which es-
timates have been made for a new gymnasium.
Our source of information tells us that some
attention has been paid to the suggestion of
one of the students, " that a stock company be
formed and a gymnasium be built, and charge
the students desiring to attend, so much, suf-
ficient to pay the company for its invest-
ment.**
There is no reason why this suggestion
should not be acted upon. We certainly
ought to have friends enough by this time to
advance to us the money for such a project. It
is worthy of their notice, and at any rate we
do not see how they will be the losers by their
kindness, especially as the affair can be made
self supporting.
The proposed building, as estimated for, will
be seventy-five feet long and forty-eight feet
wide, and will be built at the end of the old
gymnasium, or, as it is now called, the shop ;
in fact, it will be an extension to the shop and
put up in very much the same style, strong
and substantial, with all modern improvements,
and it is to be hoped sufficently near the
boiler to allow of its being heated during the
months when it will it be most patronized.
* ^ » »
A LESSON.
CHAP. I.
There was an inveterate smoker,
Who played a queer game called draw poker ;
He said that his girl
Was a regular pearl,
And he loved her so hard he could choke her.
CHAP. II.
Now his eirl knew quite well how to box,
And could strike out quite like a young ox ;
So she hit him a whack
In the small of his back.
Which made him think of a land-ilide of rocks.
CONCLUSION.
This young man is no longer a smoker,
He has also quit being a joker,
For he thinks the above
Not conducive to love,
And has become quite an urgent teetot'ler.
E. H.
« ♦ » »
The election of editors for the Indicator
Board will be held before vacation. The
following is an extract from the Constitution
of the Indicator : " At the end of each schol-
astic year the three then lowest classes will
elect, each of them, two editors from among
their number, to be subject to the approval of
the outgoing board ; and at the beginning of
the ensuing year the then Freshman Class will
elect one editor from among their number.'*
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
67
THE RHYME OF THE HERCULES CLUB.
Being a ballad of to-day , designed to illustrate the
principle of reaction^ and to set forth how
ikere may be too much of an
excellent thing.
There was once a young man of the medium size,
Who, by keeping a ledger, himself kept likewise.
In the matter of lunch he'd a leaning to pies,
And his chronic dv>pepsia will hence not surprise;
And his friends often told him. with tears in tneir eyes,
Which they did not disguise, that a person who tries
To live without exercise generally dies.
And declared for the sake of his family ties,
He should enter the Hercules Club.
Tom Box and Dick Dumbbell would suasively say.
If they met him by chance in the roar of Broadway,
" It's bad for a fellow, all work and no play;
Come, let us propose 3rou ! You'll find it will pay
To belong to the Hercules Club !"
And he yielded at last, and they put up his name,
Which was found without blame; and they put down
the same
In a roll-book tremendous; and straight he became
A Samson, regarding his tame past with shaYne;
Called for "Beef, lean and rare!" and cut ofif all his
hair,
Had his shoulders constructed abnormally square,
And walked out with an air that made people declare,
•• He belongs to ihe Hercules Club!"
And he often remarked, in original way :
" It's bad for a fellow, all work and no play;
Without recreation, sir, life doesn't pay !
And I for my part am most happy to say
I belong to the Hercules Club.**
And frequently, during a very hot ** spell,"
In thick woolen garments clad closely and well,
" Reducing " — for he was resolved to excel, —
He rowed in the sun at full speed, in a shell
That belonged to the Hercules Club.
And for weeks, while the dew on the racing-track lay,
He ran before breakfast a half mile a day,
Improving his style and increasing his " stay ;"
And was first at the finish, and fainted away,
At the games of the Hercules Club.
Six nights in succession he sat up to pore
'* The Laws of Athletics " devotedly o'er
(Which number ten thousand and seventy-four).
With a view to proposing a very few more
In a speech to the Hercules Club.
And his coat upon festal occasions was gay
With medals on medals, marked " H. A. A. A.,"
With a motto in Greek (which, my lore to display,
Means ** Pleasure is business "), a splendid array
Of the spoils of the Hercules Club.
But acquJiintances not of the muscular kind
Began to observe that his brow was deep-lined.
Too brilliant his eye, and to wander inclined;
He appeared, in a word (early English), * * forepined ;"
And one morning his ledger and desk he resigned,
Kxplaining, *' I can't have my health undermined
By this * demnition grind ;' and I'm getting behind
In my duties as captain " (an office defined,
P^ hundred and two, in the by-laws that bind
With red tape the great Hercules Club).
And he further remarked, in most serious way :
" Give it up, did you say ? 'Twill be frigid, that day !
Why, without relaxation, sir, life wouldn't pay!
And I, for my part, will remain till I'm gray
On the roll of the Hercules Club."
You perceive, gentle reader, the rub.
Is it nobler to suffer those arrows and slings
Lack of exercise brings — or take clubs, and let things
Unconnected with matters athletic take wings;
Till all interests beside, like the Arabs, shall glide
Yxorti the landscape of life, once a plain free and wide.
But now fenced for the ** Games" which we lightly be-
gan,
Grown our serious aims and the chief end of man ?
There's an aureate mean these two courses between.
But I humbly submit that it seldom is seen.
With all proper respect for that organization
Of benevolent purpose and high reputation.
The excellent Hercules Club!
— Helen Gray Cone.
PACKING.
Professor {Hearing a recitation in Physics):
" Mr. Blank, whose goniometer is this ? "
Mr. Blank : "Yours, sir; 1 guess."
Student {Explaining a problem in Analytical
Mechanics) : " I have taken the origin of
moments at both ends."
Professor ( Trying in vain to suppress a
smile) : " That is all right, sir. One of these
young men smiled at me, I don't know what
about, and I am very sympathetic, and had to
smile too."
< # » »
s^nyFFr^s Bex.
Multum in parvoy properly translated, means
Third Term in Stevens.
The catalogue of the Institute for this year
will be out in about a week.
" Turn the twig and the branch will be
straight," says a Hoboken divine.
A letter was sent to a gentleman at the
institute addressed to Rev. M. , Stevens
Theological Institute.
Two preps, one six feet, the other five feet
ten inches high, passed themselves off as chil-
dren at the lacrosse tournament.
The German band is assuming immense
proportions, both as to tone and size, in this
city of beer and elopements.
68
THE S TE VENS INDICA TOR.
It is to be presumed that the students will
take more or less interest in the Electrical
Exhibition to be held in Philadelphia next
fall.
The suggestion of the Eccentric^ for the
two lower classes to straighten the fence
about the Athletic Association grounds, is a
good one.
The Eccentric has arrived, and received a
very flattering reception. The next question
which agitates the student mind is when will
the Bolt be out ?
Our coat room correspondent sends word
that much wealth changes hands in said room
from the Freshmen's over delight in the art of
pitching pennies.
The idea of a college pin, published in the
last number of the Indicator, was a good
one, and we are surprised that no one has
taken any interest in it.
The two senior members of the Editorial
Board are absent on thesis work ; if the
Indicator degenerates at all, our readers
will kindly lay it to this cause.
That blooded put-down-two-and-carry-one
horse, which is being utilized for motive power
at the grounds, is familiarly known to lovers
of the Turf as " St. George."
Some of the classes which are kept by the
professors over the hour, experience consider-
able difficulty in attending the next recitation
in time to prevent being marked late.
The Sophomores are anxious to give expres-
sion to their ideas on Messrs. Shaw & Tuck-
erman in some befitting manner. A plan is
brewing for some kind of a celebration.
If ever you see in S. I. T.,
A man with a broken jaw.
You may bet your shekels five to three
It was cracked while " boning " Shaw.
Mr. — well, we won't mention his name — was
much lacerated lately, as the result of a rash
attempt to keep himself " heads up " with the
large wheel of his bicycle in the street, and the
small one groping about for a resting-place.
A Freshie receives mail matter with a C. E.
tacked on to his name. Be wary, my boy, or
you may fall into the evil practices that some
of your predecessors have been overwhelmed
in, and they — but at any rate don't become too
much titled.
The clock of the German church was
stopped quite frequently by the storms of
sleet this winter, and has since been trying to
catch up. This fact, probably, will explain
some of the late marks opposite certain Sopho-
more's names.
We may congratulate ourselves that our an-
nuals take the form of something readable, and
not as most other publications from else-,
where, whose chief aim seems to be to fill
page after page with little of interest, except^-
ing printers' ink.
Mr. Randolph, '86, has been obliged to leave
college on account of his eyes. They have
troubled him considerably since his illness,
and his physician has recommended rest. He
will not return until next fall, when we hope
to see him with us again. •
A certain student tells us (and he had entire
control of all his senses at the time) that he
dressed himself, enjoyed a good breakfast, and
got to college — three blocks from the house —
inside of nineteen minutes. Now, why shouldn't
he enter for the spring games ?
The Preps have a very good nine, and ex-
pect to capture all the glories this season. The
battery will be Ducommun, pitcher, and Ald-
ridge, catcher; Whigham, Harvey, L. Mowry
and Paltberg comprise the infield, and Phelps,
Isaacs and W. Mowry the outfield. Quite a
number of games have been arranged.
One of the Sophomores, feeling that his class
was not properly sustaining their reputation as
a class, invested in a " tile." As soon as he
becomes sufficiently acquainted with the laws
of equilibrium, and can safely venture out
without fear of it toppling off, he will exhibit
and stir his classmates to a proper sense of
their duty.
Prof. Kroeh is kindly devoting considerable
extra time each week to those students in *86
who were unfortunate in German last year.
The members of the class who are enjoying
this privilege greatly appreciate the effort
made in their behalf, and are now unanimous
in the opinion " that the German tongue is
worth mastering."
The need of suitable accommodations for the
visitors at the lacrosse tournament was sadly
felt. But there are hopes of a grand stand,
for we noted with delight that one of the en-
tertainment committee, from whose efforts the
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
69
money is to come for the erection of a grand
stand, actually blushed (with shame) when the
subject was mentioned.
It is with regret that we note the departure
of Mr. Bush for the West. He has gone
away on business, and at present he tells us
it is probable he will not be here for com-
mencement. Those of us who have known
Mr. Bush intimately will greatly miss him,
especially as the time draws near for the gen-
eral jollification at the end of the term.
The general good feeling which exists be-
tween the townspeople and the students is a
fact worthy of notice. In former years students
were regarded as too uncivilized machines to
tolerate. The Hoboken paper makes note of
all that is interesting about the Institute* and
thus helps to increase the already pleasant re-
lations between the Instituter and Hobokenite,
The entertainment begins to promise some-
thing real. The date will be about May 20.
The committee propose having a minstrel en-
tertainment, the various parts to be taken by
the students. The glee club will occupy a
prominent part, supported by the Valencia or-
chestra of Hoboken. The prospects are prom-
ising, and we hope the students will join in
the endeavor to make it a success.
One of the mayors of Hoboken, who held
the command of a company of militia some
years back, was captivating the hearts of his
fellow citizens by the soldierly bearing of him-
self and his company, when a street car ap-
peared and threatened to mar the symmetry
of his command ; but he was equal to the
occasion, and promptly ordered : ** Company,
split in the middle and let the car pass."
Does the amount of mathematics we have
each day interfere with the proper preparation
for the other departments ? Why, no indeed !
A student, after spending several hours hard
work on calculus and descriptive, has time
sufficient for the other studies of the day to
tell his fellow students next morning that
Alexander Hamilton, the writer and statesman,
"died while on a summer excursion in the
country."
A fact has come to light that one who is
given to star gazing and navigating on moon-
light nights, has rigged up a powerful tele-
scope in his window, which has a swing of
sufficient extent to grasp all opportunities
which may offer themselves in the neighbor-
ing windows. The experiment is a success, if
we are to judge from the amount of handker-
chief shaking and the frequency of evening
voyages, which have long since ceased to be
limited to moonlight nights.
The French cannon, which was dug up in
the Elysian fields about a month ago, has lost
its revolutionary glory, as it has been identified
by some of the old residents of Hoboken as
the property of a French aeronaut, who made
balloon ascensions from the spot now occupied
by River Terrace. This was about forty
years ago, and the supposition is that the gun
was buried at the time of the Turn riots. The
Hoboken Advertiser had quite an interesting
article concerning the history of the piece.
The playing of the base ball team with the
picked nine in Brooklyn was a surprise to
every one. The pitcher's work was very effect-
ive; the catcher supported him well, making
some brilliant throws to second base. The
fielding ranged from poor to all that could be
desired. The game was enlivened by a little
foot ball practice on the part of one of the
substitutes, who figured to advantage in last
fairs eleven; his method of putting men out
should not be practiced to any great extent,
unless some of the opposing nine are playing
too well. But five innings were played, the
score being 6 to 2 in favor of Stevens.
A — h ! says the college student, when
" Prof." Donaldson superintended the re-
moval of the winter doors to the Institute,
" the foot races and the festive gambols of the
Prep, the tramping of his feet and those wild
rantings of his will soon be things of the
past. Our halls will miss those banana peels
and discarded burnt crusts of ham sandwiches,
for the merry-making and the lunch counter
of the Prep will, until the time for the falling
of the leaves, be upon the Campus." And he
is content, and goeth away wondering if the
base ball team can practise in the drawing-
room, for Prepdom has settled on the Campus.
Thusly does one of the sufferers picture the
daily scene in Prof. Thurston's room. Mr. B.
having finished a recitation sits down. Stu-
dents abandon their free and easy postures and
sit straight in their chairs, and anxiously watch
the professor's hand as he slowly and critically
travels down the list. A sickly, deathlike
stillness prevails; nobody breathes, and one
can tell by the spare-me-but-take-my-neighbor
L
•JO
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
expression upon each countenance that no one
has studied the lesson. Slowly but surely the
pencil moves on — it stops — it moves on, and
stops again. "Mr. M." Mr. M. rises, and a
long drawn sigh of relief, sounding like the
murmuring of the gentle night wind, goes up
from the assembled M. E's, and all is serene
once more.
» ^ » »
Arthur B. Henderson is now employed
in the Delamater Iron Works, N. J.
F. K. Irwin is at present employed in the
Wisconsin Central R. R. Co., Stevens Point,
Wis.
Frank Magee is in New York, with the
Commercial Telegraph Co.
^ » >
JF§B CeilUBSB WeRllB.
Columbia. — The college will be represented
in the intercollegiate tennis tournament, to be
held in Hartford this month. Tuition prices
will be raised from $ioo to $150 per year.-
Fifteen men are in training for a Freshman
race, to be held at Hartford during the com-
ing summer. Every copy of the Columbiad
has been sold. The Freshmen fared badly
in the last examination. Dr. Bilhngs, of
Philadelphia, is to lecture on ** Sanitary Engi-
neering ** in the School of Mines.
Harvard. — Only one Professor receives a
salary of $5,000 per year. The average
standing of the forty-eight girls in the Harvard
annex is higher than that of the men in the
University. Several valuable autograph let-
ters of Christopher Columbus have recently
been presented to the Harvard library. The
editors of the Lampoon have notified their
subscribers that unless unpaid dues are paid
immediately the paper will suspend publication.
Out of eighteen Harvard graduates since
1 88 1, who now occupy prominent positions on
various newspapers, thirteen were formerly on
the staff of one of the college publications.
Princeton. — One man will be entered for
each event in the collegiate games in May.
A shorthand writing class has been formed.
A club has been formed known as the
Princeton College Sparring Association. The
Faculty have given the club use of a North
College room. There is to be a six-oared
and a four-oared crew; quite a number of men
are practicing daily on the canal. The Eu-
ropean lacrosse team played a game with the
Princeton team at Princeton, during the latter
part of April. The second of a scries of
papers on pedagogics has been delivered.
Yale. — The University crew's coxswain
weighs but sixty-four pounds. Mrs. Law-
rence,of Chicago, mother of the late T. G. Law-
rence, class of '84, has given the college fifty
thousand dollars for a dormitory. The
usual number of Seniors are delaying the picture
committee in the vain hope that their mous-
taches will "brace up." The fleet of the
Yacht Club has a schooner, a steam launch,
six cabin sloops and an open sloop.
Twenty-five thousand dollars has been raised
for a new building for the Y. M. C. A.
There are 113 men in '84. The Nine
visited Philadelphia and Baltimore during the
spring vacation and played two games at each
place. Two hundred students of Prince-
ton took part in the last city elections, sup-
porting and electing the Democratic candi-
date. The treasurer of the Foot Ball Asso-
ciation shows in his accounts a total ex]>en-
diture of $1,912.04. The association has been
self-supporting, having collected no subscrip-
tions, and finished the season with a balance
of $2.26 in the treasury.
Elsewhere. — A disturbance between the
^* miners" and "chemists," in the labor-
atory of the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, has resulted in the suspension
of several students. The mechanical labor-
atory of the University of Michigan has
had a new upright drill added to their
machines. A charge is made that the " Sophs"
in the above college spell base ball baze
bawl on their bulletin board. It is stated
that during the past term the Lafayette Col-
lege men did more reading than usual dur-
ing the second term. Lehigh has applied
for admission to the intercollegiate tennis as-
sociation. The Dartmouth faculty have
refused permission to the students to " black
up " for minstrel performances. The stu-
dents of the University of Pennsylvania will
attempt to raise one hundred thousand dollars
for a gymnasium. Over one hundred thou-
sand dollars have been given the University of
Vermont for a new gymnasium. The annual
** trip " at Lafayette was a complete success,
although marred slightly by unpleasant weath-
er. The Cornell gymnasium is constantly
filled with students all the afternoon imtil dark.
The University of Michigan has thirteen
_- .1
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
71
secret societies. The New York Evening
Post now has a regular correspondent at Yale,
Princeton, Lafayette, Williams, Amherst, Cor-
nell and Harvard. Nine American colleges
have adopted Oxford hats.
It was decided, at a recent meeting of the
college and amateur lacrosse teams, to send a
national team to England and Ireland.
Wendell Phillips is said to have been the best
scholar and athlete in his class.
■♦♦♦-
ex6M]^6es,
The Electrical Review of April 3 opens
with a description of an international ex-
hibition of electrical appliances and machinery,
to be held at Philadelphia the coming autumn,
under the direction of the Franklin Institute.
This project, which is already under way, has
received especial notice from our government,
and will probably be, in extent and importance
of both home and foreign participation, one of
the most notable expositions in this line here-
tofore held. The Review also, in an article on
electric railways, makes an energetic attempt
to stir up the American public to a realization
of our tardiness in making advancement in
this line, asserting that, while England has a
number of electrical railways in use and in
progress of construction, we Americans, who
are generally the pioneers and do the com-
mercial experimenting for the world, are,
under the able leadership of interested
corporations, pottering with wire rope
schemes.
Considerable space is devoted to a consid-
eration of the struggle now going on between
the citizens and officers of Boston over the
proposed reduction of electric light and its
replacement by gas, the citizens demanding
its retention, while the officials propose mak-
ing the change. All considerations of expense
and other practical points bearing on the ques-
tion are given, rendering the article a very in-
structive one. •The journal also contains
much other matter relative to inventions and
improvements, all written in a practical and
interesting manner.
The American Engineer presents two articles
belonging to two different series on boiler con-
struction and use, the second article of the
two treating especially of the blast furnace
boiler. In a short article, relative to the pro-
portioning of castings, the too common idea
that mere strength, attained by the addition of
so much metal, is the desideratum, is combat-
ed by the writer, who shows the superior-
ity of a careful distribution of metal and an
efficient system of braces and ribs, which in-
sure proper rigidity and at the same time
effect vast saving of material.
The article " Strains and Metals in Marine
Construction " is an interesting one, treating
largely of the most effective modes of framing
and setting up engines in ships. The remain-
ing articles are numerous, and, of course,
good.
The April number of Van Nostrand^s En-
gineering Magazine opens with an interesting
and instructive article on large dams. In this
article the variation of points of resultant
strain in dams of alternately empty and full
reservoirs is illustrated, and the methods of
construction, adapted to insure stability under
all circumstances, are given and explained.
The article on " Testing Machines *' is com-
prehensive. Its chief feature is a detailed de-
scription of an elaborate testing machine manu-
factured by the Fairbanks Co. One of the
many excellent features of this machine is,
that by transmitting the strain through steel
hemispheres, readily movable in polished
sockets, the direction of strain is auto-
matically brought into coincidence with the
axis of the test piece, thus preventing lateral
and irregular strains, which in other machines
are liable to be produced. In addition to
these articles is an elaborate one on ** The
Theory of Stadia Measurements," and another
on the flexure of long columns, in which the
writer. Professor S. W. Robinson, defends one
of his former productions against the attacks
of Professor W. H. Burr. The remaining
articles are numerous and worthy of atten-
tion.
The Electrician and Electrical Engineer con-
tains, in addition to a number of interesting
editorials, several very instructive articles.
The first of these is the concluding article of
a series by Professor Thurston on " Steam
Engines for Electric Lighting Plants," in
which are explained and discussed two inter-
esting forms of the high speed engine — one
designed for electric lighting purposes, by
John Ericsson, and the Westinghouse engine.
The latter, which is a single acting engine of
novel construction, has attained, experiment-
ally, the remarkable speed of 2,700 revolu-
tions per minute. . The succeeding article is a
critical review of some of the work of the
jury in the recent electrical tests at the Cin-
cinnati Exposition, the writer demonstrating
I
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
the inaccuracy of both the work and deduc-
tions. An excellent article is one of a series
on the " Mechanical Explanation of Electric
Units."
The first April number of Mechapucs is
filled with excellent articles, accompanied by
the best of illustrations ; the latter are a de-
cidedly noticeable feature of the paper. Two
interesting articles are : one, on a new form of
boiler, the Pelestot, of French design and
manufacture ; and the second, on an auto-
matic valve motion, designed for winding
engines ; both are accompanied by complete
drawings.
The North Western for Ai)ril contains, in
addition to a considerable amount of local
matter, a well written article by a free trade
writer on " The Surplus Revenue," the various
dangers arising from the present rapid ac-
cumulation of revenue receipts being present-
ed and remedies proposed and discussed.
The first April number of the Oberlin Re-
vietv is an excellent one, two very entertain-
ing articles being given, one on " The Poetry
of James Russell Lowell " and the second on
" Bret Harte." The traits of character of
both writers, as manifested in their writings,
are presented, the selections given being well
interpreted and displaying judgment on the
part of the writers.
The Columbia Spectator is very well gotten
up, and a pleasing feature of the paper is the
illustrations. The issue of April lo shows,
however, a lack of activity on the part of con-
tributors, the articles given being few and
short.
We have received from the Deane Steam
Pump Company their catalogue, in which all
of the numerous forms of their popular ma-
chines, from the smallest up to the heaviest
water works machinery, and embracing arrange-
ments for almost every kind of work, are
clearly represented and explained. The book
is a model one, both illustrations and typog-
raphy being excellent, and contains, in addition,
several pages of tables and other useful
information for the engineer.
We have received the following additional
exchanges : Mechanics of April 26 and also
monthly number, American Engineer of April
II and 18, Electrical Revieav of April 10,
Hudson County Democrat Advertiser, Boiiuloin
Orient^ Willistonian, Adelphian^ the Wheel, La-
Fayette College Journal, Targum, Lehigh Burr,
the Tech, University Herald^ Michigan Argo-
naut, University Magazine, University Courier^
Virginia University Magazine, iht Pdytechnic^
College Argus,
Of the two yearly publications which the
Institute has the honor of producing, the
elder, the Eccentric, has this year the good
fortune to be first in appearance. We are
pleased to note its arrival, and congratulate
the editors on the success which has attended
their efforts. Although there are some points
in which the paper could be better, there is
very little work of which this same may not
be said, while, on the other hand, the good
features are numerous and noticeable, and the
paper generally reflects credit on the managers.
We wish it a long career and continued im-
provement and success.
*' Whose ferry boats are these ?" growled a
Senior as he stumbled over a pair of shoes in
the hall.
" Ferry boats, indeed, sir !" said a pretty
face, opening the door. "Those are my
shoes, sir. Very polite of you to call them
ferry boats, sir."
** I didn't say ferry boats ; you misunder-
stood. Fairy boots, I said, my dear young
lady." It takes four years to do that. — Ex»
SONG OF THE EDITOR.
O for a horrible holocaust,
Or an accident awfully solemn ,
An earthciuake, a riot, or anything weird.
If it only will fill up a column.
— Yale Record,
El'ITAI'U ON AN ASTRONOMER.
The Stars tu him were meat and drink and sleep ; it
was his sole delight
To scan the sky with telescope and transit all the live-
long night.
A perihelion on his head, a syzygee in either hand.
He's climbing up the ascending node to reach that
better land.
—Ex.
CAVALRY.
In barbaric, unlearned, dark ages.
In the lime of the Frank and the Norse,
We're instructed by chivalry's pages
The dependence of man was the horse.
Now the world is considered quite learned,
And it ridicules helmet and corse ;
Notwithstanding professors and sages,
The dependence of man is the " norse."
—Ex,
Prof, in Chemistry: " Will the liquid in
a crucible evaporate more rapidly with the lid
partly on or partly off ?"
itevens Institute of Technoloo^vJ
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING,
FOUNnED BV THK LATE EDWIN A. STEVENS.
HOBOKEN N '
;..'ii. , ■ , ■ .
NALL. A. A.
£'&., .... Pint, ol ExscrtincaEai
AR, M. B-t 1:<
jTEiiEr U S. N, Prnf. of Maji.ir. EnsiD-^i^t-i.t .■»!■.
k
5TEVENS HIGH SCHOOL]
THE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT
STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYj
KB/VEfi STREET, bet 5ih 3,rM 6th.
OPENS SEPTEMBER
Ejniffltfliitippji tar AC
ffSTHUCTrON GIVEN IN Til;
HAND .
JUNIOR DEPARTMENT.
SCNIOR DEPARTMENT,
.U DtiAWlHli
- •«O.0O PER tNHUIW.
• BISO.OO PER AMNUM.
FCf ^tlAlCfJC* 9;..
THE
levels iRdiGatiSF.
V^. z.
HOBOKEN, N. J., JUNE, 1884.
No. 6.
rDBLBHBD ON THB
OF EACH MONTH, DURIN6 THE C0LLE6E YEAR.
BY THE STUDENTS OF
$teVeii0 In^tiMe of Tecpologj.
SHUors.
. C. W. WHITINO, '84.
. A. P. KLETZSCH, '84.
t JOHN If. RUSBY, '85.
JLoral suitors.
ROLLIN MORRIS, *«5.
OIVTON, "SB. C. R. COLLINS, '86.
Z#ADD PLUMLBY, '87.
IS a — SI. BO per YMr, bi Advtnca. Single Copy, 20 Cents.
^ JHaeBB Pwm Q§m m» Smad Hurt UatUr.
SMkseripHons taken by the business manager, 7vho ivill
ih^ f^aper to any address^ prepaid^ on receipt of
copies eon be obtained at Lutein's book slore^
paper tmll be sent regularly to subscribers until
' io be discontinued.
Smbscrihers tuill please immediately notify us of any
e im iJkeir address or failure to receive the paper
J^wvJessorSf aimmni, undergraduates^ and friends^ are
itmttti to eorUribute literary ariicles^ items, verses^ dis-
trwiens of cmrreni topics^ and personal notes.
Mi is partieularfy desired that Alumni furnish us 7vith
mB itetns of interest concerning themselves and every one
' fen connected with the Institute,
li is expected that all articles shall be written in a
tome.
7Tir ^ariiet^s full name^ as well as his nom de plume,
t aeeomfany the article^ as assurance of good faith
reHahJHty ; hmt it will not be published^ unless desired,
do not necessarily endorse sentiments ex-
•epi in the editorial and exchange columns,
a9e invited to send us books and magazines
retdew,
'AameSf conitihutions, subscriptions^ advertisements,
mUoiJbr communications by mail, should be addressed
BB Stxtkns Indicator, Stevens Institute, Hoboken,
Jf.J.
AUpersoms wishing to secure the business patronage of
^^^mis mmd alumm will find it to their advantage to
for otir advertising rates.
ri7 HE report of the entertainment committee,
'1' which proved a disappointment to so
many, adds one more drop to the long ago
overflown bucket full of reasons why we need
a gymnasium.
The committee, who deserve much credit
for their diligence, succeeded in raising a very
attractive programme, and when everything
was in readiness were unable to obtain a hall
in which to hold the affair. They made three
applications for the German Club hall, and
were refused each time, while the rates charged
for Odd Fellows' hall were so high as to defeat
the object of the entertainment, hence it was
given up entirely.
When we get our gymnasium we will be in-
dependent of hall owners, for we will have our
own hall just as they did six years ago, when
dramatic entertainments were quite frequent.
« # » »
TT7HE enterprise of Eighty-four in making
l*" up a more extended programme for Com-
mencement week, is to be highly commended.
We had long been waiting for the time when
the size of the Institute should warrant the in-
troduction of Class Day exercises and the
preaching of a baccalaureate sermon. Eighty-
four is to be heartily congratulated upon the
good management which rendered her Class
Day, the first to be held at Stevens, a signal suc-
cess. Not a little of this success is due to the
great kindness of Mrs. Stevens in allowing the
use of her magnificent lawn for the occasion.
Should Mrs. Stevens deem it advisable to ten-
der this most beautiful spot in the country for
use on similar occasions in the future. Class Day
at Stevens must necessarily be far ahead of
those at other colleges. We hope that these
features of Commencement week will remain
74
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
an established custom of the college, and if so,
they will be a worthy monument to the memory
of Eighty-four.
« # » »
AND so the year has come to a close again;
the last term is ended, and the last lesson
conned. As the term came toward its end,
the Freshman became bold in his movements :
he no longer had the green look that was so
noticeable when we were introduced to him.
His bearing seemed to say, I am not a Fresh-
man, you must look elsewhere, you must look
elsewhere. And this reminds me of a story
which, if my memory serves me truly, is to be
f ouncj in one of Scott's charming tales. A certain
Irishman was struck on the head with a shilla-
lah, while he was enjoying himself in a village
frolic. Mike was carried home to his sorrow-
ing wife, a supposed corpse. The wake soon
followed. Mike's choice store of whiskey was
freely dealt out by the new made widow, and
all was gayety. The blow had not, however,
quite ended Mike. When the festivities were
at their highest pitch, and whiskey was flow-
ing as freely as water, and the widow began to
look jolly, Mike "came to." He had been
stretched out on a pine board, and to the
amazement and terror of his friends and rela-
tives, he suddenly and without warning arose.
Seizing the board, he began to deal blows to
the right and left with much vigor, at the same
time giving vent to his thoughts by saying :
** Bedad ! I'm not ye're corpse, at all, at all :
Ye must go elsewhere, ye must go elsewhere."
So it was with all of us — Seniors, Juniors,
Sophs and Freshies — all were not what we
seemed to be.
And now a year already rises before us, with
many difficulties to surmount, many hours of
weary toil and little rest ; and when we think
of it, I doubt if any of us feel quite equal to
the tasks that we know the coming year will
bring us. But after a couple of months at the
seaside, the mountains or the breezy plains of
the West, we will come back with new resolves,
new energy and relish for study.
There is something sad in the fact that the
vacation of one class from the Institute will
last forever. The years crowd one on another
so rapidly that we can almost see the class of
'84 before us as they will appear in twenty
years. We think we see some distinguished
men among that future group of careworn
engineers, a group much grayer, much sadder,
much smaller than when they leave the Insti-
tute this month. We cannot see all the faces
that we know so well. Ah ! there is little
cause to ask the reason why ; and so leaving
the idle fancy where it is the saddest, we turn
to more cheerful thoughts. We wonder how
many of the class of '84 are engaged, and if so
if she is pretty or wealthy, or both. Will she
be kind and tender and true to him through
all the coming years ? and,-perchance, if she
should happen to see this harmless scribble,
will she accept our best wishes for a joyful
future and a happy home ?
And thus, like Tiny Tot, in Dickens' Christ-
mas story, we bid " good bye to all, God bless
us every one."
« ^ » »
TT7HE base ball season was a very short and
A unsuccessful one in all respects. Stevens
won but one game of any importance in de-
feating the champions of the league. Of the
other games played none even deserve men-
tion. The Board of Directors of the Asso-
ciation are principally responsible for this dis-
astrous season, as they ought not to have per-
mitted the captain of the base ball team to take
out the men which he did, and all games ex-
cepting those of the college league should have
been declared off.
In order that the captain of the foot ball
team does not make a similar showing next
fall, the Board must assist him in every pos-
sible manner. All games ought to be arranged
by the directors, as was the case last fall; and
in order that the captain can give his entire
time to the team, a good business manager
must be appointed. The umpire, if selected
by the Board, and if a good business man,
could act as such, and see to all arrangements
.r*.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
75
with other associations with which games have
been arranged, to getting out posters, looking
after suits, and other business too lengthy to
mention.
The good effect of training was also plainly
seen last fall in foot ball, and a still more
thorough and rigid system ought to be intro-
duced. The Board must notify as early as
possible each and every possible candidate for
the team as to what is expected of him, and no
exception whatever should be made. If it has
been proven that he has violated the rules im-
posed upon him, the directors should not hes-
itate an instant in putting him off immediately,
before causing dissatisfaction amongst the re-
maining members. It was a noticeable fact
during the last season in foot ball, that the
poorest players were those who sneaked off to
take an occasional smoke, and otherwise vio-
lated the rules.
The training of the team in gymnastics
and calisthenics should also be carried to a
greater extent, and a long and easy run each
day would be of inestimable value. Great
rivalry is already apparent amongst students
for places on the team, and this is sufficient to
insure a good system of training. Practice
games with smaller colleges about here ought
to be played as early as possible. Then put
on a finishing touch by tackling Yale, Prince-
ton and Harvard, during the first weeks in Oc-
tober, and at the close of the season Stevens
will again stand foremost amongst the non-
associaiion teams.
COMMENCEMENT WEEK.
The exercises of Commencement week,
which were unusually elaborate this year,
opened on Sunday, June 8, with the baccalau-
reate sermon by Prof. Wall. Nearly all of the
Senior class, together with many other students
and friends, assembled in the First Presby-
terian Church in the morning with spirits as
bright as the weather.
The first thing noticed was the beautiful
array of flowers, whose fragrance filled the
church, and bore great credit upon the friends
of the class who so kindly arranged them.
In choosing his subject, Prof. Wall stated
that he had endeavored to find one which
would be of interest as well as profit to his
hearers. He was well rewarded with success
on this point, for every passage commanded
the closest attention of all present.
BACCALAUREATE SERMON.
The text may he found in I. Chron. xxii. 12 : " Only
the Lord give thee wisdom, * * * ihat ihou may-
est keep the law of the Lord thy God."
He spoke of the existence and supremacy of moral
law, by which was meant such an order or sequence of
actions and their effects that right actions promote the
well doing of men and wrong actions produce evil
effects.
The Ten Commandments are the sublimest exposition
of the duty we owe to God and man, and therefore
include moral laws. But independent of the Bible,
moral law may be discovered by study of human con-
duct and character.
Men even when unenlightened by Christianity or re-
jecting revealed religion, acknowledge such laws; the
philosophy of the ancients, writers of our times, in the one
case ignorant of, and in the other disbelievers in, Chris-
tianity ; the history and literature of all nations declare
it. The one lesson taught by historians is that *' Right-
eousne.«s exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any
people." All civil or criminal laws are or claim to be
based on moral laws. The punishment for their viola-
tion is not always immediate, but always sure. That it
follows so gradually is due to the perfection of their
working. Showing the importance of regulating con-
duct by these laws, which are *' the laws of the Lord
thy God," the Rev. Professor exhorted the young
men to so act in all their relations to their fellow men
that their influence would be in favor of purity in public
and private life, integrity in the discharge of every
trust. The powers have passed from the rulers to the
people. Virtue and religion are the only powers which
can direct to wise and beneficent ends the energies of
the people of this country.
On Monday night Prof, and Mrs. Thurston
held their Senior reception. The Glee Club
and many young lady friends were also invited,
and the evening was most pleasantly spent.
The Glee Club rendered several selections,
which were well received. A feature of the
evening was the presentation by Prof. Thurs-
ton, through one of the members of the class,
of a package of brain food to Mr. Parker, as
Chairman of the Board of Eccentric Editors,
"in order to supply a much needed loss sus-
tained by the almost superhuman effort in the
production of the article in this year's Eccentric y
entitled * A Faculty Meeting.'
> >>
CLASS DAY.
The weather on Tuesday disappointed many
by appearances of storm. After a short rain
in the morning, however, the clouds began to
break, and to all appearances the afternoon
would be favorable to the Class Day exerciser,
76
THE STEKENS INDICATOR.
which were to be held out of doors. Mrs.
Stevens generously consented to the free use
of Castle Point for the occasion, which was an
inestimable improvement on the " the Campus."
By three o'clock, about three hundred people
had assembled, among whom were many rep-
resentatives of the fair sex. The inadequacy
of the supply of chairs was soon rendered evi-
dent, as there were barely enough to furnish
sittings for the ladies.
There was a short delay before the exercises
commenced, caused by the tardiness of some
of the members of the Glee Club. The au-
dience, however, felt no impatience, as the
beautiful surroundings and magnificent view
furnished ample entertainment for a much
longer period.
Finally, the Vice President and Secretary of
the class mounted the platform, and the pro-
ceedings were begun by the calling of the class
roll by the Secretary.
Handsomely engraved programmes had
been distributed, which were as follows :
PROGRAMME.
Music, - - -
Introductory Address,
Class History,
Music,
Class Poem, -
Music,
Class Prophecy,
Music, - - -
•84 Glee Club.
Kenneth Torrance.
Frank Van Vleck.
'84 Glee Club.
Ernest Howard Foster.
'84 Glee Club.
WiLLARD Stewart Tuitle.
'84 Glee Club.
Presentation of gifts to each member of the class.
Chorus — Class Hymn, - - • Class ok '84.
Vice President Torrance read an intro-
ductory address, welcoming the visitors and
speaking of the regret which President Ren-
wick felt at being kept at home by a lame
knee.
Then followed the class history by Mr. F.
Van Vleck.
CLASS history.
The past, with its intense interest, presses so closely
upon us that it seems as part of the present. These
four years of our course have gone with lightning ra-
pidity, and now all appears as existing in its momentary
after glow. The time which has thus appeared so
short, by contrast with what we have accomplished,
shows it to be a long period.
Four years ago to-day what was our condition as a
class? We yet had no existence, but as individuals we
were in the throes of acquiring in a minimum of time a
maximum of learning, preparing for our entrance to this
Institution, of name immortal and sublime to our
youthful imagination, with a tension upon the body and
mind only known to those about to enter college.
***** *
The class numbered about 46 men, or, more accu-
rately, boys, representatives from all climes and con-
ditions of men — the hardy sons of the soil and the dap-
jx-T dudes from the avenues ; some from behind counters,
and one from the imperial family of the Celestial em-
pire. Such was the rough material which this institu-
tion of machines was to manufacture into renowned
scientists and engineers.
Freshman year passed with a monotony which we,
poor innocents, at the time, considered to he full of the
grandest excitement. To the credit of the class, no
attempts were made at a cane rush ; the class abovef
being so small in numbers, concluded that "discretion
was the better part of valor." The same peaceable
spirit was manifested daring our Sophomore year. In
fact, all through our course has been singularly devoid
of all harrowing practical college jokes, midnight baths,
greased railway tracks, damaged municipal property,
class suspensions, etc.
Junior year saw us bright with the hope that as we
were on the home stretch of the course, all would be
clear and easy sailing. Alas ! to how many this hope
proved delusive. Work was piled upon us as never before.
Then commenced the circulation of petitions, for which
our class has become famous.
Those who were spared to become Seniors, were fur-
ther astonished to see that the work mapped out for
them to be accomplished in two terms could hardly be
accomplished in two years. We petitioned the Faculty,
and this was magnanimously remedied. And now our
Senior year is about to breathe its last. Behold ! bfefore
you, the finished product, and exclaim in the words of
the immortal Shakespeare: "Most potent, grave and
reverend seigniors." It is difficult to adequately appre-
ciate the high and lofty character of their sublime in-
tellects. Consult but the subjects of their theses and
you will be bewildered by their gigantic erudition. A
professor himself exclaims : ** They will be handed
down to fame." And as these represent the average
ability of the members, the class is destined to be im-
mortal. The entire technical press of the land is
awaiting with bated breath the appearance of '84's
theses, and their publication is expected to mark an
epoch in the modern engineering age.
On looking back over the years that have gone, we
find many changes. Our ranks have always maintained
the same number, but their occupants have been grad-
ually changing. Twice have we been sorrowfully re-
minded that all are mortal. That *'fell sergeant,
death, has been strict in his arrest." The first thus to
be taken was Henry Stehr, in our Sophomore year.
Then, as we were about to enter our Junior year, Wil-
liam McFarland was called.
Now that we have completed the course, we look
back upon its scenes and events and perceive that these
four years are a miniature of the world's real life —
strivings for place and power, seeking the bubble repu-
tation with as much assiduity as our elders outside of
classic halls.
Some of the facts given may be thought somewhat
exaggerated ; but as figures cannot lie, we shall present
some of the class statistics.
The class will graduate 42 men.
The average height is 5 ft. loj^ in.
The total height is .408 of a mile.
Our tallest man is Jacobus, 6 ft. 3}^ in., and our
shortest, Miller, 5 ft.
The average weight is 148 lbs. 10 oz.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
77
Our heaviest man is Klctzsch, and our lightest,
Carroll, the class skeleton.
The total weight of the class is 3.1 tons.
The average and total age of the class could not be
computed* as many members were so conscientious and
were so afraid of exaggerating their age, that many of
them erred in (he opposite direction. As far as obser-
vation goes, it has been concluded that the average age
is about 22 years. Likewise in obtaining the dimensions
of the pedal extremities, the same failing was manifested.
Many would have us actually believe that their feet
measured but six or seven inches in length, hence it
could not be accurately ascertained wlio was the posses-
sor of the smallest. But in the case of the largest pair,
the •• truth is mighty and will prevail," whether or not
their owner would so have it. The arctics wherewith he
was woDt to clothe them were for a time in the Bar-
tholdi loan exhibition of rare curiosities.
Among facial disfigurements may be noted four real
moustaches, with sideboards to match, and 32 which
approximate more or less closely thereto. The pre-
vailing tendency of color is toward cardinal or hemp.
The appellations by which we are known to each other
are such as, Boy, Jab, Hans, Beecher, Bushy, Kinck,
Uncle Fay, L. D.. Sleepy, Double, Faber, E. H., F.
\V., Anna Lise, Jakey, Baby, Mack, Spider, Bessie
Turner, BiUie Mahone, Katy, Bruiser, Electrosilicon,
etc.
It is easily observable that our class is plcnteously
endowed with the highest order of ambition. On
canvassing it was found that all the great professions of
the age were to be represented. The aspirations of
some are so great that they even hope to reach the
exalted station of a chemical laboratory imp, a hod
carrier or a barber. Others aspire to strut the quarter
deck of the Queen's Navee or '* the applause of listen-
ing senates to command." Some even more modest
have no doubts but that they are to fill the executive
chair of the United States.
But two more days and history for '84 shall cease,
and this class, which we have had the presumption to
think incomparable, will become a thing of the past,
bat will never be effaced from our hearts.
" If stores of dry and learned lore we gain,
We keep them in the memory of the brain:
Names, things and facts — whate'er we knowledge
call-
There is the common lodge for them all ;
And images on this cold surface traced.
Make slight impression and are soon effaced.
But we've a page more glowing and more bright,
On which our friendship and our love to write ;
That these may never from the soul depart.
We trust them to the memory of the heart.
There is no dimming, no effacement there ;
Each new pulsation keeps the record clear ;
Warm, golden letters all the tablet fill.
Nor lose their lustre till the heart stands still."
Mr. E. H. Foster then read the class poem :
CLASS POEM.
Fellow classmates, here at last,
Our toilsome journey having passed,
I greet thee on this eve of life,
Which at the best will be but strife ;
For scarcely can we claim to know
How things outside of College go.
Although our lives are one-third gone.
We have our work but just begun.
Whatever shall be our success,
Much unto some, to others le^is.
In each case will it all depend,
Not only on the time we spend,
But on our interest in our work,
And absence of a wish to shirk.
As now we are about to start,
Not any great distance apart.
Much like unto a splendid race.
So often watched with eager face.
Our college training is to us,
A preparation generous.
Our character our bit shall be ;
Our colors are integrity ;
Behind us in the sulky rides
Each man's own name, he so much prides ;
Our backers and trainers shall be
The members of the Faculty.
With fairness, firmness not to budge,
The whole great world shall be the judge.
O, could I now but look ahead
And see what Prophet Tuttle said,
Or if not yet, quite soon will say.
Who'll be ahead some future day?
The course of life we have picked out
Is great and noble without doubt ;
The grandeur of its works sublime
Are to be met in every clime.
Had not the pen dethroned the sword,
Hammer and chisel would afford
A rival dangerous, I ken.
Which now works with the mighty pen.
The Seven Wonders, one of which
Alone would render the world rich.
Are all the work of engineers ;
And at the present it appears
That, if the much sought eighth is found,
In it will science much abound.
The railroad, steamboat, telegraph,
And almost everything we have.
Are but the work of leading minds
Which one in our profession finds.
The engineer letters must know ;
The man of letters — goodness— oh !
It is too much to imagine.
How he would try to make a pin.
The Brooklyn Bridge, upon whose size
Millions do gaze with wondering eyes,
Was not built by a language dead,
With classics for a figure head.
One tribute to our Institute,
Which doth bring forth such noble fruit.
Though young in years, her name expands
Throughout nearly all foreign lands ;
And, though her sons are yet but few.
We find t/um high in science, too ;
For, by her strict and thorough course.
Has fairly taken all by force,
And won herself a reputation
Above all others in the nation.
But to return unto our class.
Let us these last few moments pass
78
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
In looking back, recounting facts
And meditating on our acts.
Our stay at Stevens has been one
In which improvements have been done.
The first great act our name surrounds.
Finished the fence around the grounds,
Thus keeping out the festive Mick,
With which Hoboken is quite thick.
In Freshman year we lost our Gym.,
And since have tried to replace him ;
While now it looks as though ere long
Students shall once again be strong.
The Presentation of the Shop
Gave to the Institute a prop
Which cannot be too much thought of,
And, as though that were not enough,
President Morton, so generous,
Founded an electrical course.
We also were among the men
To sit upon th* electric pen ;
And we are quite happy to say
The hektograph went in our day.
Athletic meetings were revived,
A tennis tournament was tried ;
A splendid glee club mainly due
Unto our efforts, not a few ;
While we did, by the largest part.
The Stkvens Indicator start.
In foot ball, base ball, great success
Attended captains from our class.
Our valiant deeds are many, quite.
Which, but for modesty, we'd cite.
As to the genius we possess,
Much could be said without a guess.
Inventors we have in full force —
They have propped out all through the course ;
They now have but to fan the spark
And we will see them make their mark.
Thus we with different virtues blest,
And not afraid to stand the test
Will forward move, onward and up,
Determined not to drink the cup
Of hopeless failure or despair.
However poorly we may fare.
With our old motto for our star,
Always '* Esto perpetua."
Which now we hope with renewed zeal,
Will to our loyal hearts appeal.
Let us advance as engineers.
And when we meet in future years,
Thus it shall be our pride to say,
We graduated the same day ;
And cry with sound almost a roar
Hurrah ! for Stevens Eighty-four.
During the reading of the poem a few drops
of rain began to fall, and it was thought ad-
visable to adjourn to the large piazza of Ste-
vens Castle before proceeding any further.
Fortunately this was close at hand, and in a
few minutes order was restored and the exer-
cises continued with a Glee Club song, followed
by the class prophecy by Mr. W. S. Tuttle.
Next followed the presentation of gifts,
which gave rise to much laughter. Among
these were such suggestive articles as a toy bed,
gun, lamb, powder puflf, lemon squeezer, tin
whistle, doll's arctics, etc. The doll's arctics
were the best hit of all, but the point was en-
tirely lost by the absence of Mr. Jacobus, for
whom they were intended.
Two long stemmed clay pipes were given to
each lady, one with a red and the other with a
gray ribbon tied on, while each of the gentle-
men were presented with a pipe, and together
with the class smoked the pipe of peace.
While this was going on the class sang the
class hymn, at the conclusion of which the fes-
tivities were over.
The Glee Club rendered several excellent se-
lections, which sounded well, notwithstanding
the disadvantage of being in the open air.
On the whole. Class Day exercises were voted
a success.
At II p. m. the class again assembled at
Martinelli's, where they enjoyed their class
dinner.
The next thing in order was Prof, and Mrs.
Leeds' reception on Wednesday night, where
the class was again favored with singing by
the Glee Club.
During the course of the evening a pack of
cards were distributed among the Seniors, and
then one of the men drew a card from another
pack, and whoever held the corresponding
card was to receive a handsome gold scarf
pin as a present from Prof, and Mrs. Leeds.
Mr. Brainard proved to be the fortunate one.
COMMENCEMENT DAY.
Thursday, June 12, was Commencement
Day. The first thing to occur was the Alum-
ni meeting in the afternoon. The Senior class
had been previously elected to membership by
the Governing Committee, and consequently
many of the class were present. President
Kursheedt and Secretary Idell officiated.
The following officers were elected :
Pres,^ - - - . Mr. Wm. Kent, '76.
Vice-Pres.^ - - Mr. F. E. Idell, '77.
Rec, Sec.y - - Mr. A. P. Trautwein,'76.
Cor, Sec, - Mr. T. F. Koezly, '75.
Treas,, - Mr. A. Riesenberger, '76.
Directors^ -
j Mr. E. Tatham, '81,
( Mr. D. S. Jacobus, '84.
Thus Eighty-four enjoys the unprecedented
honor of having one of her members elected
an officer in the Alumni Association during
his first year of membership.
Each of the members of the Faculty present
made some remarks, and President Morton
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
79
Stated that Mr. Leavitt had written his regrets at
not being able to be present at Commencement,
and enclosed fifty dollars to defray the ex-
penses of the graduating class. Mr. Torrance,
in behalf of the class, stated that they had al-
ready paid all expenses, and that they desired
to turn the money over to the beneficiary fund,
believing that in this way it will do the most
good.
The question was raised as to the advisa-
bility of the recent action of the Faculty in
limiting the entering class to fifty, and
choosing these men by the entrance examina-
tion. Prof. Wood stated that the Faculty had
discussed many plans, and had merely decided
to try this one (which is similar to that used
at the Naval Academy) as an experiment, or
until a better one was proposed and which the
facilities would allow. The question of en-
larging the Institute was raised, and an ob-
jection found in the want of means. The
alumni decided that the field for present action,
was to correct the prevailing impression of the
wealth of the Institute, with a view of obtain-
ing further endowment.
Inunediately after the alumni meeting. Pres-
ident and Mrs. Morton held their annual re-
ception. The attendance was larger than ever
before.
The Commencement exercises were held in
the evening, at the First M. E. Church. The
Juniors had tastefully decorated the hall with
flags, and at eight o'clock the Trustees and
Faculty marched up the left aisle, and the
graduating class, numbering forty-two, each
with a daisy in his button hole, marched up
the right aisle. The following programme
was distributed among the audience :
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
Org%h Prkludb, -
Wm. S. Chbstbr, '86.
Prayer.
Introductory Remarks, - - By President Morton.
Finale, - Lurline. - Vincbnt Wallace.
Salutatory Address, - - Chas Francis Parker.
Selection, - Heart and Hand. ... Lecocq-
Address to Graduating Class, Prof. De Volson Wood.
Galop, - - Cordon Rouge. ... Dilier.
Remarks by Distinguished Visitors.
SiLEcnoM, - Beggar Student. - • Millotcker.
Conferring of Degrees and Announcement of Prizes.
College Airs. — Selected. Dilier.
Valedictory Address, ^ Henry Robinson Rea.
SoECs, Cb«s Quartette.
OiGAH I\>sriLtTDB, .... Wm. S. CHESTER, '86.
GRADUATES AND SUBJECTS OF THESES.
Graduates Receiving Degree of Mechanical Engineer.
W. S. Aldrich, N. J.
IIarvev F. Mitchell, N. Y.
Automatic Engines : Practice and Theory (Experimental
Investigation).
James S. Alden, N. J.
The Storage of Electricity.
William O. Barnes, N. J.
Richard L. Fearn, Ala.
The Theory of Steam Injectors (Experimental Investigation and
Revision of Theory.)
James Beatty, Jr., Md.
Liquid Fuels.
John A. Bensel, N. Y.
Prescott Bush, N. J.
Dynamometers (Experimental Investigation).
Allen W. Brainard, N. Y.
Victor de Mackiewicz, N. Y.
Steam Pumping Machinery.
William Bristol, Conn.
A new Double Acting Gas Engine (Original Design and new
Invention). .
Lafayette D. Carroll, Va.
Compounding a Beam Engine (" Macnaughting." Original Design).
Walter Carroll, La.
Inertia of Reciprocating Parts of Engines (Mathematical
Investigation).
E. L. Dent, Washington, D. C.
The American I..ocomotive Elngine (Theory and Current Practice).
Adolph Faber du Faur, Jr., N. J.
Safe Construction of Plain Cylindrical Boilers (Theory and Design).
E. H. Foster, N. J.
Kenneth Torrance, N. J.
Steam Boiler Fxplosions (I'heory. New Determination of Stored
Energy).
F. W. Foster, N. Y.
Development of the locomotive.
Charles L Gately, Conn.
Alvin p. Kletzsch, Wis.
Steam Engine Efficiency (Experimental Determination of Wastes,
and Law of their Variation).
Henry L. Ganit, A. B. (John Hopkins Univ.), Md.
Dabney H. Maury, Va.
Steam, Ether and other Vapors compared as Working Substances
in Heat Engines (Original Calculations of Efficiency of
the several Fluids).
David S. Jacoiujs, N. J.
Edward B. Renwick, N. J.
Mechanical Refrigerating Machines (Theory and Experimental
Determination of Efficiency).
William L. Lyall, N. Y.
Jute Manufacture and Machinery.
Henry J. Miller, N. J.
Safety Valves.
A. Saunders Morris, Pa.
H. R. Rka. Pa.
Manufacture of Cane Sugar (Experimental Determination of Power).
Charles F. Parker, N. Y.
WiLLARI) S. TUTTLE, N. Y.
Cable Railways (Construction and Costs\
8o
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
Harry de B. Parsqns, B. S. (Columbia College), N.Y.
Sy&temadc Method of Ship De»ign (Theory of New Syktem).
William H. Peirce, Md.
Friction of Single and Compound Engine^.
Henry S. Prentiss, A. B. (Princeton College), N. Y.
Thermo Electricity in Engineering.
George J. Roberts, Va.
The Joy Valve Gear.
George F. Sandt. A. B. (Lafayette College). Pa.
Dts^n of a new Suspension Foot Bridge.
George M. Sinclair, A. B. (Princeton College), Pa.
Propulsion of Balloons (Present Status and Promise).
Charles W. Thomas, N. J.
Eccentric and Valves of Steam Engines (Comparison of Existing
Types).
Benjamin W. Tucker, N. J.
The Armington and Sims Engine (Construction and Theory).
Frank Van Vleck, N. Y.
Cams (Sy&tems and Kinematic Theory).
John Van Vleck, N. Y.
Reaction Wheels (Theory and Original Design).
Charles W. Whiting, Pa.
Hoisting Machinery (Review of Apparatus for Deep Shaft).
Alexander Wurts, Ph. B. (Sheffield Sci. School),
Conn.
Energy and the Steam Engine (Tracer Energy passing through
Boiler and Engine).
Honorary Degree of Mechanical Engineer, conferred
upon Prof. Clarence A. Carr. Assistant Engineer,
U. S. N.
The E. G. Soltmann Prize in Mechanical Drawing,
awarded to Mr. Henry Abbey, Class of '85.
For commendable work in the Department of Mechan-
ical Drawing, during the Junior year, students Thomas
G. Smith, Harvey D. \Villiams and Otto Pfordte,
deserve honorable mention.
The Priestly Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to
Mr. Otto Pfordte.
In connection therewith, the following gentlemen
have received honorable mention : Mr. W. J. Broad-
meadow, Mr. Edwin Birhorn, Mr. Clayton A.
Pratt, Mr. Thomas G. Smith.
The Wm. A. Macy Prize has been awarded to
Eugene H. Kiernan.
reception committee.
Wm. S. Dilworth, A. G. Glasgow,
J. H. Stewart, Paul Willis,
O. H. Baldwin. R. H. Rice,
W. A. Adriance.
As usual, the " Distinguished Visitor " did
not appear. The Salutatory and Valedictory
addresses reflected great credit upon the
speakers.
The floral gifts were beautiful beyond descrip-
tion, prominent among which was a magnifi-
cent and most perfect representation of an
eccentric for Mr. Parker, in his double' office
of Salutatorian and Eccentric editor, and also
a handsome ship for Mr. Rea.
Although this church is much larger than
any place where Commencement has been
held heretofore, and every precaution was taken
to avoid a crowd, yet the place was literally
jammed and many were unable to obtain an
entrance.
After the exercises were over, the Alumni
held their annual reception and collation in
the German Club hall. Mr. Wm. H. Blaikie,
who was invited to be present, spoke a few
words relative to the needs of a gymnasium,
and endeavored to persuade the Alumni to
assist the students in establishing one.
Thus ended the memorable twelfth Com-
mencement.
« ^ » »
LECTURE ON THE MANUFACTURE OF
STEEL AND IRON.
Deiiveied by Wm. Kent^ M. E.^ to the Senior Clasi
ofthi Stevens Institute of Technotofy^ March
27 1884, under the auspices of
the Dept. of Experimental
Mechanics.
The subject matter was presented by Mr.
Kent in the form of answers to questions, sug-
gested to the minds of the students during the
annual visit to prominent metallurgical estab-
lishments.
Question : We have seen the crucible steel
process in Jersey City, the Bessemer process
at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and the open
hearth process at Midvale Steel Works, Phila-
delphia. Can each process produce all the
various grades of steel at present in use in the
trades ?
Anstver : The crucible can produce all quali-
ties of steel which are used in the trades ex-
cept the softer qualities, which are very low
in silicon and carbon. At the high heats
necessary for making soft steel the steel is
apt to absorb both silicon and carbon from
the crucible, and consequently there is more
difficulty in producing the softer kinds.
The Bessemer process is capable of produc-
ing nearly all qualities of steel, provided that
raw material of sufficient purity can be ob-
tained, and provided, also, that by extreme
care in manipulation the bath before or after
pouring can be freed from the presence of
blow holes and oxide and iron. The Bessemer
process is ordinarily used to produce the com-
moner grades of steel, leaving the very finer,
such as fine tool steels, to be produced in the
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
8i
crucible ; but considerable success has been
reached in the manufacture of tool steels in
Sweden, where the raw material is of extraor-
dinary purity, and the converters are much
smaller and run with lower pressure of blast
than in this country. It would not be pos-
sible by the Bessemer process, as at present
used, to produce from American ores the finer
grades of tool steel.
The open hearth process is probably capa-
ble of making all grades of steel. The open
hearth is practically a large crucible. In prac-
tice, however, the open hearth has not yet
been used to any great extent in producing
the finer grades of tool steel, although a
number of qualities of steel, such as spring
steel and cutlery steel, which were until re-
cently made by the crucible process alone, are
now made in the open hearth. At one works
in the United States, the Bolton Steel Com-
pany of Canton, Ohio, the open hearth pro-
cess is used to produce tool steels of good
quality, and it is probably that in future those
tool steels, for which there is a large market,
will be largely made in the open hearth.
Q. What are the relative advantages of the
crucible process, open hearth and Bessemer
processes, especially as to the element of cost ?
A. The chief advantage of the crucible pro-
cess is that it is especially adapted for the
production of small masses — that is, for cases
in which only a small quantity is desired of a
particular quality. A large proportion of the
tool steels are used in very small quantities,
and orders for such steels are always figured
in pounds and not in hundred weights or tons.
Since the product of a single cast of open
hearth or Bessemer is always niore than a ton,
there will be a considerable loss in using this
process for making steels for which the mar-
ket is very limited, and the risk of making a
heat which should not be exactly of the quality
desired would be of much more serious im-
portance than the risk of losing the contents
of a crucible.
The disadvantages of the crucible process
are chiefly high costs, due to cost of crucibles,
large amount of labor required in the process,
and relatively large consumption of fuel, be-
sides the inability, already spoken of, to make
Jteels very low in carbon.
On account of the expensive character and
cost of plant required to make a small product
by the crucible process, as well as on account
of other disadvantages already spoken of, the
crucible process, must always be confined to
the manufacture of the higher priced steels,
which are used only in small quantities. It
would be utterly impracticable to build cru-
cible works enough to supply the market for
steel rails.
The principal advantage of the Bessemer
process is the cheapness in cost of its product,
the cost of fuel, labor, repairs and interest on
plant being of less than those of any other
process. Consequently it is the favorite pro-
cess for the cheaper steels.
Another advantage of the Bessemer process
is the fact that it, when taken in connection
with the blast furnace, works directly from the
native raw material — that is, iron ore — and the
cost of raw material for it, therefore, is limited
only by the cost of mining and transportation,
while the crucible and open hearth processes de-
pend for their raw material upon manufacture
iron or scrap, the supply of which may be
limited by the conditions of the market. The
disadvantage of the Bessemer process is the
difficulty of regulating the percentage of car-
bon, especially in the low carbon steels, with
such extreme nicety as in the open hearth and
crucible processes, and therefore for finer
grades of steel the Bessemer process is not
quite as well adapted as the other two pro-
cesses.
The open hearth process holds an inter-
mediate ground between the Bessemer and the
crucible processes. It has the advantage com-
mon to the Bessemer process of cheapness in
cost due to the handling of large masses, and
much smaller cost of fuel and repairs than the
crucible process. It has the advantage over
the crucible process of certainty of quality of
product.
The disadvantages compared with the Bes-
semer are slightly increased cost of plant for
a given product, and the increased cost of pro-
duct due to higher price of raw material.
The production of open hearth steel also is
generally limited by the quantity of scrap steel
to be found in the market. Open hearth steel
may be made from pig and ore without the use
of scrap, but this process in the past has gen-
erally been found rather more expensive than
the scrap process. It does not seem likely at
present that the open hearth process will be
greatly developed in the future for the cheaper
steels, since the Bessemer process, when taking
metal direct from the blast furnace, is likely
always to be the cheaper process, but it is
quite likely that the open hearth process will
be used more and more as a substitute for the
crucible process.
Aa idea of the relative growth of the three
I
82
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
processes may be given from the following
figures of production in the years 1872, 1877,
and 1882, the figures being in tons of two
thousand pounds :
Yean.
Bessemer
Steel Ingots
Tons.
1872
1877
120,108
560,587
1,196,450
1882
Crucible
Steel Ingots.
Tons.
29 260
40.430
85,089
Open Hearth
Steel Ingots.
Tons.
3,000
25.031
160,542
Q, How do the Bethlehem Bessemer Steel
Works compare with other steel works of the
country ?
A, In some respects the Bethlehem Steel
Works differ from all other works, first, from
the fact that the whole process from the melt-
ing of the iron in the cupola to the finishing
of the rail is carried on in one bruilding. The
mill building itself is one of the finest in^the
world.
Another difference from other works is, I
believe, that it is the only one in which the
transfer ladle system is used between the
cupolas and the Bessemer converter, except
those works in which the metal is brought
direct from the blast furnace by means of a
locomotive. In all the other Bessemer steel
works the cupolas are set at a higher level, and
the metal is run through inclined runners from
the cupolas into the converters. The general
arrangement of each pair of converters, with
its semicircular pit surrounded by top sup-
ported hydraulic cranes and three-high Fritz
blooming mill, the Siemens furnace, for ingots
and blooms, and the three-high rail mill, with
the cooling bed and the straightening and
punching presses, are the same as at nearly
all the other American mills. The new
blooming mill now being erected at Bethlehem
is, I think, the largest three-high blooming
mill in the world, and I think the engine is
the largest engine in this country attached to
a rolling mill. When the Bethlehem works
were first built they had only two converters,
the other two having been added within the
past two years. The universal American
arrangement prior to 1880 was two convert-
ers, and the product of two converters was
increased from 10,000 tons per annum in
1868 to over 14,000 tons per month in 1880.
By this time the limit of capacity of the two
converter plant seemed to be reached, and
various works have adopted different arrange-
ments, as follows :
CONVERTERS USED.
Bethlehem Steel Works.
Edgar Thomson Steel
Works
Pennsylvania Steel Co...
Cleveland Rolling Mill
Co
North Chicago Rolling
Mill Co
March, 1880.
July, 1882.
two 7 ton
two 7 ton
two
four 7 ton
three 10 ton
^ , ^ ( two 7 ton and
^ ""• \ three 8 ton
two-6 tons two 10 tons
two-6 tons
j two 6 tons and
{ three 10 tons
It is too early yet to say what will be the
arrangement of the future plant. There will
probably be a struggle for supremacy between
the four 7 ton, the three 8 ton and the two 10
ton and the three 10 ton converter plant as to
which can turn out the greatest tonnage with
the less cost for labor and maintenance. The
lecturer here read an extract from a letter on
improvements in Bessemer steel works, which
he wrote for the Bulletin of the Iron and Steel
Association in November, 1882^ as follows :
" Other changes of works besides that of re-
arrangement of converters have taken place,
the chief among them being the taking of the
metal direct from the blast furnace, the use of
two-high reversing mills for either blooming
or rail rolling, and the direct rolling of the
rail from the ingot without shearing or re-
heating the bloom. The Cambria works have
adopted the two-high reversing blooming mill,
and the South Chicago works have adopted
a two-high reversing rail mill while retaining
the three-high blooming mill. In the three-
high blooming mill itself an important im-
provement has been adopted at several works,
viz. : the making stationary of all three rolls,
instead of having the middle roll move up and
down, as formerly. Heavier drafts are thus
taken; the bloom is made from the ingot in
fewer passes (usually 12), and the mill is simpler
in construction and more easily kept in repair.
" Perhaps the farthest departure from the
old methods of Bessemer works has taken
place in the erection of the new works of the
North Chicago Rolling Mill Company at
South Chicago, Illinois. They exhibit the
nearest approach to a ** direct process " which
has yet been reached in steel making, as well
as the most complete substitution of machin-
ery for manual labor. The plant consists at
present of four blast furnaces, three 10 ton
converters, four Siemens heating furnaces,
one blooming mill and one rail mill, with the
necessary equipment, of course, of Spiegel cu-
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
83
polas, ladles, cranes, pumps, rail saws and
other finishing apparatus.
" The first impression the works are apt to
produce upon a visitor who is familiar with
the appearance of the oldest Bessemer works
is one of surprise at the smallness of the plant.
This surprise is likely to be increased when
he learns that these works have a capacity be-
yond that of any two-converter plant ever
built, although they occupy less ground, have
dispensed with a large portion of what was
hitherto supposed to be necessary equipment
and machinery, and employ a far smaller
force of men. The chief features which dis-
tinguish these works from all former Ameri-
can Bessemer works are as follows : Their
use of pig metal direct from the blast fur-
naces in the melted state, thus dispensing
with the casting and breaking of pigs, and
with the cupolas for remelting them ; the
rolling direct from the ingot into the rail
without reheating, thus dispensing with the
cutting of the ingot into rail blooms and re-
heating them ; and the use of a two-high
reversing mill with automatic feeding tables
for rolling rails, thus dispensing with the
array of men usually seen about the rail rolls.
" It is a little surprising that the first of
these improvements, namely, the using of
metal direct from the blast furnace, should
not have been adopted in this country years
ago, since it has been a successful feature of
some foreign works for many years. Nearly
all the improvements that have been made in
Bessemer practice since 1865, including
Holley's arrangement of plant and his mov-
able converter bottoms, the use of top sup-
ported hydraulic cranes, the three-high
blooming mill with the Fritz feeding tables,
and a great variety of minor details especially
facilitating rapid production, by which the
product of each American converter has been
made to average from two to four times that
of the foreign, have been made upon this side
of the ocean. The English and Continental
works have hitherto been slow in adopting our
methods, and we have generally depreciated
the merits of theirs. Each country now seems
more willing to adopt the best ideas of the
others, and so we find the latest English
works built after a study of the American, and
the latest American works adopting some of
the methods of the English.
** The blast furnaces of the South Chicago
works are each 75 feet high by 21 feet diam-
eter of bosh, are provided with fire-brick hot-
blast stoves, and are thoroughly modem in
every other respect. The melted pig iron is
tapped from them into ladles set on small
trucks, which are drawn by a locomotive to
the converter house, and are there lifted to
the level of the converters. The crane ladle,
which receives the steel from the converter, is
transferred from one crane to another, the
second reaching to the ingot pit, which is thus
enabled to be set at a greater distance from
the converters than is possible in the old
plants, which have but one ladle crane.
" When the ingots are cool enough to be
stripped, or taken out of the moulds, their
interior being still liquid, they are removed to
the Siemens furnaces, where in about half an
hour their exterior is heated and their interior
is cooled so that the ingot is of a uniform heat
throughout and is then fit for rolling. These
furnaces each have a bed 24 feet long by '8
feet 4 inches wide, and are large enough to
contain abouf 15 ingots at a time.
" The heated ingot is taken on a buggy to
the feeding tables of the blooming mill, which
is of the ordinary three-high Fritz pattern, but
is of great size and strength, having rolls 40
inches in diameter and the middle roll station-
ary. Only eleven passes are given the ingot
in this mill, and, as the rolls are run at a
speed of over 50 revolutions per minute, the
time required for blooming is unusually
small. The bloom as it leaves the last pass
of the blooming mill is at once taken with the
speed of a railroad train over a series of feed-
ing rollers to the rail rolls, about 200 feet dis-
tant, and is there entered. The rail mill is
two high, 26 inches in diameter, and is driven
by compound reversing engines. Seven passes
in this mill complete the rail, which is over
120 feet long, or four rail lengths. Another
set of feeding rollers carries it in front of the
hot saw, which saws it into the four lengths.
An ingenious device, a revolving stop, is used
for stopping the end of the rail at the proper
distance from the saw, to insure each piece
being cut to the right length. The first piece,
being the hottest when cut, is cut a little
longer than the second ; this is cut a little
longer than the third, and so on, so that the
contraction of each will equalize the lengths
when cold."
The Edgar Thomson Steel Works have
recently adopted the direct process of taking
the fluid metal from the blast furnaces with-
out remelting in cupolas. The Cambria Iron
Works are preparing to do the same, and it is
probable that this direct process will be the
process of the future.
84
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
A more recent improvement is the substitu-
tion of what is known as the soaking pit for
the regenerative furnace for the heating of
ingots. This soaking pit is simply a hole in
the ground lined with fire brick, into which
the ingots are placed immediately after being
stripped from the moulds. The interior of
the ingot being still liquid, and the fire brick
walls having previously been heated, an
equalization of temperature takes place, by
which the inside of the ingot is cooled and the
outside heated until the whole ingot becomes
of a uniform white heat, just ready for rolling,
without the expenditure of any fuel as in the
heating furnace. By this system of heating
ingots in connection with the system of roll-
ing adopted at South Chicago, and the direct
process of taking metal from the blast furnace,
the only fuel necessary in the Bessemer proc-
ess for making steel rails directly from the
ore need be the fuel used in the l)last furnace,
since the waste gases of the blast furnace and
the waste heat from the Bessemer converters
should be more than enough to furnish all the
steam for the engines of the blast furnaces
and of the Bessemer mill.
The utilization of the waste heat of the
Bessemer converter, however, is not yet at-
tempted in practice, and at all works thus far
built some of the boilers are fired with coal,
with the exception, perhaps, of the Edgar
Thomson Steel Works, in which the boilers are
fired by natural gas.
Q, Can you give an idea of the probable
extent to which the puddling process will be
superseded in the future by Bessemer and
open hearth processes ?
A, There is scarcely any doubt that before
many years the product of the puddling fur-
nace will be very largely superseded by that
of the Bessemer and open hearth processes.
There is scarcely any purpose in the arts for
which puddled iron is now used for which
open hearth and Bessemer steel is not better,
with the single exception of those pieces and
structures in wrought iron which require to be
welded in an ordinary blacksmith's fire. At
the present time iron is generally welded with
more facility than steel, although steel is now
being made which can be welded with a con-
siderable degree of success when special fur-
naces or apparatus is used, or even in an or-
dinary furnace by a skilful blacksmith.
The question of relative cost of the two is
now the only barrier to the rapid substitution
of steel for iron. At the present time most
structures can be made at a lower price per
pound in iron than in steel ; but as the steel
works are rapidly improving their machinery
so as to cheapen their product, Bessemer steel
is likely soon to be cheaper than puddled iron.
Steel rails can already be made much cheaper
than iron rails, and it is only a question of time
when the proper machinery is introduced,
when a large number of other steel products
will be cheaper than iron ones.
The following figures were given two years
ago by Messrs. Thomas & Gilchrist, the Eng-
lish inventors of the basic steel process, of the
comparative cost of manufacture in England of
puddled iron and of basic steel, the figures
being changed into American money :
Price
4
per
Q
I
tot*.
e*
ton of
Ingoc
Labor
Coal
Coke
Ingot molds
Lime
Fellling
Ferro manganese.
Refractories \
Stores and repairs
Interest and re-
demption at ID
j>er cent
General expenses,
royalty, etc. . . .
Total conversion
costs
$3 29I .. .1 ifo.Ss
I1.34 2,464 r.47;$i 34i 6041 .30
3 05, 84! .12
4.07I 560 loa
403
.21
•44
Waste
Total costs, in-
cluding waste. .
Cost of pig . . . .
Cost of ingot or
puddled bar. . .
10.25
13
49
.24
...|$7-25
168 .77
$8 02i
TO 25
I
118 27
73.20
II
.36
.81
.49
.24
1. 10
1
• • • •
*4 92
1.79
' 392
*
$6.71
10.25
16.96
•
In June, 1882, I wrote to the American
Manufacturer concerning the paper of Messrs.
Thomas & Gilchrist (read before the Iron In-
stitute of Great Britain) as follows ;
" It is full not only of details as to the
work and the technical success of the process,
but of estimates of its cost and chemicsd analy-
sis of the product, and what I think most
important of all, a strong argument in favor of
the early substitution of basic steel for the
product of the puddling furnace. 1 know
Messrs. Thomas & Gilchrist's views, and those
of other writers who predict the early extinc-
tion of a large majority of the old fashioned
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
85
puddling furnaces, will be received with in-
credulity by many American iron masters.
They ^ill point to the failure of all the similar
predictions which have been made during the
past five years, and to the fact that, in spite of
such predictions and of the rapid rise of the
Bessemer process in the United States, there
never was such a large demand nor such a
heavy production of ordinary puddled iron,
both in the United States and in England,
as during the past two years. But I think the
views of Messrs. Thomas & Gilchrist are cor-
rect, and I intend to keep repeating the pre-
diction until its final fulfilment.
"The only uncertainty about the matter is
the exact date when it will take place ; but all
the signs of the times point to a very early day.
Do not misunderstand me : all the puddling
furnaces will not become extinct within the
next half century. As the Catalan forge has
been supplanted by the puddling furnace for
more than one hundred years, yet still is mak-
ing about as much iron as it did thirty, fifty
or a hundred years ago, so will the puddling
furnaces remain in operation long after the
Bessemer and open hearth processes together
shall be making the great bulk of the iron and
steel products of the world.
" I think it quite safe to make the predic-
tion that the year 1882, or perhaps 1881, will
be the year of maximum production in the
United States of finished puddled wrought
iron, exclusive of the wrought iron which is
used as a material for certain steel purposes."
The latter prediction has thus far been ful-
filled. The year 1881 showed the maximum
production of roll iron 2,643,927 net tons. In
1882 there was made 2,493,831 net tons. I
have not seen the figures for 1883, but believe
they will be even less than those of 1882.
In 1881 the product of steel of all kinds was
1,778,912 net tons, and in 1882, 1,945,05 net
tons, or more than twelve times the total steel
product of 1872 (160,108 tons). The produc-
tion of rolled iron in 1873 was 1,847,922 net
tons. Thus, while the production of iron in
ten years increased less than 36 per cent., the
production of steel in the same time increased
more than 1,100 per cent.
C. Are mechanical puddling furnaces, and
especially the Danks furnace, likely to retard
the substitution of iron for steel ?
A, I think not. The mechanical puddling
furnaces have generally been failures. The
Danks furnace is the only one of these
which has at all been successful in the United
States, and that is now employed on a large
scale only in one works — that of Messrs. Graff,
Bennett & Co., in Pittsburg.
An account of the Danks furnace may be
found in the Metallurgical Rtiiew of 1877,
and in the transactions of the Engineer Society
of Western Pennsylvania.
I saw a mill in Cincinnati in the summer of
1882, in which the Danks furnaces were in
operation, but the works failed subsequently,
and I believe are not now running.
In October of that year, in a letter to the
Bulletin of the Iron and Steel Association^ I
wrote as follows concerning the Danks fur-
nace :
" The theoretical obstructions to the im-
provement of the puddling furnace have been
much less serious than the practical obstruc-
tion which has only been learned by costly
experience, namely, that it is extremely diffi-
cult to build and to operate a mechanical
puddling furnace which shall work so success-
fully that the losses consequent upon imper-
fectly worked iron, upon expensive and fre-
quent repairs, upon stoppages and irregularity
of working of furnaces, and upon greater in-
terest in cost of plant, are not found out at
the end of a year's running to have overbal-
anced the saving in fuel or in wages of work-
men. This has been the real trouble with
mechanical puddling furnaces ; with but rare
exceptions, they have proved commercial fail-
ures. They did not for any long period of
time make iron cheaper or better than old
fashioned furnaces. Even the Danks furnace,
which is certainly a success in two establish-
ments in the United States, is only a partial
exception. The failures with it have perhaps
been more extensive than with any other
mechanical puddling furnace. The writer
well remembers that about five years ago he
mentioned to a gentleman, who he was not
then aware knew anything about the Danks
furnace, some facts he had learned concern-
ing the results of its work in Pittsburg. The
gentleman replied : * I don't want to hear
anything about the Danks furnace. I have
had $175,000 worth of experience in it, and
don't want any more.' " Since that letter
was written the Danks furnace has been intro-
duced into the Otis Steel Works at Cleveland,
not for the purpose of making rolled wrought
iron, but dephosphorizing pig iron and con-
verting it into a bloom of exceedingly fine
quality as regards freedom from phosphorus,
which is used as a raw material in the open
hearth steel furnace for making the finer
grades of steel.
86
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
Q, Are steel castings likely to replace
wrought iron to any great extent ?
A, Probably only for certain forgings which
it is cheaper to make in steel castings than of
wrought iron. Steel castings are, however,
being largely used to replace cast iron, espe-
cially for parts of machinery requiring great
strength, such as gear wheels, rolls, pinions,
etc. A number of steel casting establishments
have been started recently, which make steel
in an open hearth furnace, and they are said
to be meeting quite a large market for their
products, and are making them of excellent
quality. The Pittsburg Steel Casting Co.
has made most of its steel castings in the cru-
cible, but has recently added a Bessemer con-
verter for large castings. Other works make
their castings by melting some special quali-
ties of cast iron in the cupola, and removing
the carbon from the castings so made to the
point desired in the steel by annealing in boxes
of oxide of iron.
Q. What is the benefit of gaseous fuel in
the iron and steel manufacture ?
A, Gaseous fuel is chiefly used for heating
furnaces and for melting steel. For the former
purpose its advantage is a saving of fuel from
the ordinary coal fire furnace, also a saving in
waste of iron in the furnace, due to greater con-
trol of the quality of the flame by the melter.
For steel melting in crucibles it offers a great
saving of cost over coal firing, and it is indis-
pensable to the success of the open hearth pro-
cess, for it has not been found practicable to gen-
erate and maintain the necessary heat for this
process by any other means than by the use of
gaseous fuel in connection with the Siemens
regenerative furnace. The economy of fuel,
when gaseous fuel is used, comes chiefly from
the use of the Siemens furnace, which does
not discharge the waste gases of combus-
tion into the chimney until they have been re-
duced in temperature to about 400 degrees,
while in ordinary furnaces, such gases escape
at as high temperatures sometimes as 2,000
degrees, and moreover frequently escape before
they are thoroughly burned.
Q, The students have seen the Sellers 7
ton hammer at the Midvale Steel Works. Are
there any larger hammers in this country, and
if so, what are they used for ?
A, The largest hammer in this country is a
17 ton hammer at the works of Park Bros. &
Co. in Pittsburg. It is used for making heavy
forgings, such as shafts for marine and other
engines, and also for hammering steel ingots
into blooms to be rolled in the rolling mills. In
this case, the large hammer takes the place of
a blooming mill, such as the students saw at
Bethlehem.
Q, What effect would the adoption of free
trade have upon the iron and steel manufac-
ture of the United States, and what are the
chief reasons against its adoption as regards
that manufacture ?
A. It would be disastrous in the highest de-
gree. I can perhaps answer the question best
by referring to the figures I have already given
as to the cost of puddled iron and of basic
steel in England. In that table the cost of
puddled bar in England is given at $18.27 a
ton. I do not believe that puddled bar has
ever been made in this country at a cost of
less than $30 a ton, and when it was sold in
Pittsburg five years ago as low as $34 a ton,
a large number of the works had to stop run-
ning.
The cost of ingot steel in England by that
table is less than $17 a ton. The lowest price
that steel rails have ever been sold at in this
country is the price at which they have sold
during the past few weeks, namely : $34 per
ton ; and the ingots must have cost not less
than $28 per ton. A few months ago several
of the Bessemer mills stopped running because
they could not make steel rails at the prices
then prevailing.
The cost of pig iron is given in the English
table at $10.25 a ton. The lowest price at
which No. I pig iron ever sold in Philadelphia
was $16.50 a ton — in November, 1878. About
the same time in Pittsburg the lowest price
for Bessemer pig iron was $19, and this low
figure has never been touched since.
When these figures prevailed more than half
the blast furnaces in the country were out of
blast because it was impossible to run them at
a profit.
The reasons why pig iron, rolled iron and
steel cannot be made and sold in the United
States as cheaply as they can in England are :
First, In the geographical location of the ores
relative to the fuels, the United States is
greatly at a disadvantage. Pittsburg is the
chief centre for the manufacture of finished
iron and steel in the United States. The fuel
for its pig iron, Connellsville coke, is carried
60 miles; but the nearest ore suitable for Besse-
mer steel purposes is at Lake Superior, and at
all times during the past five years the supply
of Lake Superior ore has been so limited in
Pittsburg that it has been found necessary to
transport ores more than 4,000 miles from
Spain, Algiers, Elba and England,
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
87
Second. The higher interest on money
makes the interest charges on iron works
greater in America than in England.
Third. The higher prices of labor in the
United States.
When I Wsited Europe two years ago the
wages paid to the lowest class of laborers in an
iron works in Pittsburg was a dollar and a
quarter a day. The same class of labor in
an iron works in Glasgow, Scotland, was paid
sixty-two cents per day, and at the Cockerill
Iron Works in Seraing, Belgium, one and a
half francs or thirty cents per day. In the
Cockerill Works large nimabers of women were
employed who hauled in small carts around
the works fuel, ashes, and other materials.
In order for the workman to support his
family in Belgium, it is necessary for his wife
to work in the mill with him. I think Mr.
Abram S. Hewitt, in his report of the Paris
Exposition, in 1867, says that the condition of
the continued existence of the iron manufac-
ture in France and Belgium is that the laborer
eats meat only once a week. If absolute free
trade in iron products were adopted in this
country, the condition of the existence of the
iron manufacture in this country would not
only be that the laborer should eat meat once
a week, but that the rate of interest on money
should be as low as it is in England, and that
the cost of transpK)rtation from our great dis-
tances between ores and fuels should be re-
dued to an equality with the cost of transporta-
tion of ores to fuels over very short distances
in England.
Mr. Isaac Louthian Bell, member of Parlia-
ment, in a report of a visit he made in this
country in 1876, showed clearly that the dis-
tances the ores and fuels had to be transported
in this country was a permanent disadvantage
under which the United States labored, and
that in thb respect it could never compete
with Europe.
The iron trade of the United States in all
its branches is now such an exceedingly im-
portant branch of our industries, and such a
large portion of our population depends upon
it for subsistence, including the laborers en-
gaged on our railroads in transporting its raw
materials and products, the farmers who supply
food to the laborers engaged in it, and all the
population which is indirectly dependent upon
these trades, that if it were possible to wipe
oat of existence any considerable portion of
the iron trade, it would be followed by a com-
mercial revolution such as the world has never
seen. If any of you students believe that free
trade is going to be the policy of this country,
I would advise you not to become mechanical
engineers, but to become lawyers, for if free
trade is adopted the legal profession will be
the most lucrative, and will find its chief em-
ployment in matters connected with sheriffs'
sales and bankruptcies.
But if, as I believe, free trade is not going
to be adopted, and you are going to become
mechanical engineers, there is no better field
for the exercise of your profession than the
iron and steel industries.
In conclusion, I will read something I wrote
three years ago concerning the status of the
mechanical engineering profession with refer-
ence to the manufacture of iron and steel
{American Engineer, Aug. 1881) :
" Considering the present status of metal-
lurgical engineering in this country, we must
say that it occupies as advanced a position,
and presents as many triumphs of invention
and skill, as any other branch of engineering
in any country, civil, mechanical, naval or
military, and the means by which it works to
overcome the resistances of nature by the least
expenditure of time, labor and capital, are as
nearly perfect as any branch of engineering
can show.
" The blast furnace is a marvellously perfect
apparatus for converting the crude ore into
pig iron. The Bessemer converter is nearly
as perfect for converting the pig iron into
steel. The open hearth, destined to be coex-
istent with the Bessemer converter, is in rapid
process of development, and bids fair to make
any grade of product, from the lowest to the
highest, in carbon. The old direct processes,
such as the Catalan, the puddling process, and
the crucible steel process, still have their
place, and will have it, although diminishing
in relative importance, just as the sailing ves-
sel coexists with the more modern steamship,
as the stagecoach coexists with the locomotive.
** But great as have been the achievements
of the past, the work of the metallurgical
engineer is far from being ended, and we have
no doubt the next ten years will witness addi-
tions to his triumphs, although not so great,
perhaps, as the invention of the pneumatic
process (misnamed the Bessemer — it should be
the Kelly) and the basic process (Thomas-
Gilchrist, Reese, Snelus, or Riley). The open
hearth process remains to be perfected. The
use of steel for castings needs to be extended.
Great improvements are possible in the meth-
ods of rolling, or otherwise shaping the in-
got into the finished material. Economy of
i
88
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
handling material in rolling mills, economy of
steam, and a number of minor economies still
offer problems for the solution of the metal-
lurgist of the future.
Here the line of division, if any ever ex-
isted, between the mechanical and the metal-
lurgical engineer vanishes. It is now entirely
to the mechanical engineer that we must look
for all future developments in the manufacture
of iron and steel.
« ♦ » >
A TRUE STORY.
Dick Hathaway and I had been chums ever
since we made each other's acquaintance,
some fifteen years ago.
We both lived in the town of Franconia, in
New Hampshire, and many were the fishing
and hunting excursions which Dick and I made
together in the mountains about our home. In
fact, we were more like brothers than mere ac-
quaintances, and so when my parents decided
to send me to Stevens, to study for an engineer,
it was not at all strange that Dick should ac-
company me.
Dick immediately became popular among
the boys, for he was an adept in all athletic
sports, and they welcomed him as a valuable
addition to the foot ball and base ball teams.
He was a good student, too, and in the even-
ings we used to sit in our study and get out our
lessons together, and when these were done we
would discuss the latest foot ball or base ball
matches.
And so we '* pursued the even tenor of our
way" through the Freshman, Sophomore and
Junior years, and entered on the Senior. For
some time before the Christmas vacation I had
noticed that something ailed Dick. His face,
which had always been so cheerful and full of
color, now looked careworn and pale. His
manner, too, always so full of good humor, had
changed, and in place of gathering the boys
about him by his amusing stories, he now
seemed to avoid them, and when any one
spoke to him, he answered in monosyllables
and in a startled kind of a way.
I did not question him about this change,
for I thought it was only the effect of hard
study, and supposed that after visiting home
for the holidays, he would come back with all
of his old time cheerfulness.
It so happened that I was not going home
that Christmas, but was to visit some friends
in Pennsylvania, and so after giving Dick some
messages for my friends at home, I parted
from him for two or three weeks.
When we came back to commence the sec-
ond terra I was surprised, not to say shocked,
by the change which had taken place in Dick
in so short a time. His health, in place of
growing better had grown worse, and now one
would scarcely have recognized him as the
fellow who had electrified everybody by his
brilliant playing on the foot ball field not three
months since.
Of course, I could not understjnd it, and
so one night when we were seated before the
grate fire in our study, I said to him:
'' Dick, what in the mischief has got through
you lately ? You are not the same fellow you
used to be at all. You remind me now of one
of Poe's cheerful subjects, or Dickens' haunted
man. What's the matter with you anyhow ? "
At the mention of the word haunted, Dick
turned upon me quickly, almost fiercely ; but
restraining himself, said with a bitter smile,
" Yes, I guess I am haunted."
Neither of us spoke for some time after
that, but sat watching the sparks fly up the
chimney, and listening to the wind whistling
round the building and the snow beating
against the windows.
I confess I was somewhat alarmed at his
strange answer, and was about to ask him
what he meant by it, when he turned to me
and said :
** Frank, old boy, I've never kept a secret
from you yet and I don't mean to now. I
have never told this at home, partly for fear
of being laughed at, and partly for fear that
they would not let me come back ; but I'll tell
you now what has caused this change.
" You know just before the ending of last
term Professor Thurston announced that we
must design a turbine. I didn't think much
of it then, although I always despised draw-
ing. I started on an inward flow wheel, and
had almost finished it when one of the fellows
came along and told me that Professor Thurs-
ton was not going to accept any inward flow
wheels. That rather disheartened me, but I
threw away that design and started on a paral-
lel flow. I got along on that all right until I
struck the regulating apparatus. Some fellow
told me we had to make an original design for
that. There was where all the trouble com-
menced. I thought over that thing till I was
almost crazy. At last in despair I put in several
cog wheels and a cover to regulate it by and
handed it in.
" When I was coming out of Professor Thurs-
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
89
ton's room I met one of the fellows, who asked
me if I had handed in my turbine. I said I
had, and then he asked me how I hid regulat-
ed it. I told him, and he then set about con-
rincing me that that would never work. He
ended up by telling me that he had heard
that Professor Thurston was not going to ac-
cept any parallel flows, but only inward flows.
* No one has ever accused me of being vin-
dictive, but I felt like killing that fellow then
and there.
" The more I thought of that turbine the
worse I got. I grew morose and sullen and
didn't want to see or speak to anybody. I
dreamt of it by night and heard the splash of
water by day. When I ate my meals I tried
mentally to figure out the efficiency of that
infernal thing.
" Then the holidays came and I started for
home. As I walked up Broadway to the
Grand Central Depot all the shop windows
appeared to be filled with turbines ; people
appeared to be buying turbines and carrying
them home for Christmas presents.
" When I got to the depot I bought my ticket
and said to the ticket agent :
" * What time does the turbine start ?*
" He evidently thought I had been a little
previous in celebrating Christmas, so he an-
swered in a kind tone :
" * You mean the train, I presume. That
stans at 11.05.'
"I looked a little confused when he corrected
me, but took my ticket and started for the
baggage room. As I passed the news stand I
glanced at one of the engineering papers lying
on it, and saw in large letters the heading ' A
New Form of Turbine.* I had a strange
desire to buy that paper and then viciously
tear it to pieces, or else do something to put
it where others could not get at it.
" I walked on, however, pondering on what
form of turbine that new one might be. When
I reached the baggage room I showed my
ticket and said :
"'Please check my turbine to Franconia.'
" The baggage master looked at me for a
moment and then replied :
" * Say, what are yer givin* us ? Do yer take
me for a chump ?*
"I didn't know what he meant at first, but
suddenly I remembered what I had said.
Then I gave him a quarter and told him that
* turbine' was the French for * trunk,' and
that I had been in France so long that I had
become rusty on English.
"Do you remember how when we used to go
home together I would sit in the car and
whistle tunes, and the car wheels would keep
time ? Well, as I sat there going home this
time the car wheels seemed to keep saying,
'Turbines, turbines, turbines, parallel flow,
parallel flow,* till I was almost wild.
** At last I reached home, and for the next two
or three hours I forgot my troubles; but when
I went up to my room to prepare for dinner
and was alone for a short time, they all came
back again. I went down to dinner in a dazed
sort of way and scarcely heard any of the
conversation that was going on about me.
I remember, however, hearing my mother
say :
" * This steak is not cooked enough. That
cook is the least efficient one I have ever
had.*
" * Is she parallel or inward flow ?' I asked,
* because if you want her to be efficient you
must make alpha equal to twenty degrees and
beta.*
" Just then I looked up and observed the
surprise depicted on everybody's face, and
stopped.
After dinner all the folks expressed regret
that you were not coming home that week,
and my mother asked me why I didn't invite
George Richards to come and stay a week. I
thought this was a good idea, and went up-
stairs and wrote a note requesting him to come
and stay with me. The next dav the note
came back, and on it was written Is this in-
tended for me ?' I read it over again and
found I had written as follows : —
•* My Dear George — In parallel flow turbines, in
order that the water may work to the best advantage,
it should enter the wheel without shock and leave it
without whirling motion ; for which purpose the
velocity of whirl on first entering the wheel should be
equal to the first circumference of the wheel, and the
velocity of whirl relatively to the wheel on leaving
the wheel should be equal and contrary to that of the
second circumference of the wheel. Don't forget.
Yours, very truly,
Dick Hathaway.
" In short, Frank, that was the way things
went during my stay at home, and I was
anxious to get back to college, for I thought
that when I got back among the boys I might
forget these things. But no such good luck
was in store for me, for I had hardly put my
foot inside of the Institute door when one of
the fellows came up and said, * Hello, Dick,
got your turbine designed yet ?* I didn't say
anything; I just turned around and came
home and waited till you came. There,
90
THE STEVENS INDICATOR':
Frank, you have the whole story. I suppose
you think I am foolish, but I can't help it.
That thing has been preying on my mind the
last six weeks, and I feel reckless now and
don't care what becomes of me. Good night,
Frank."
I said good night, and then sat at the fire
for some time thinking of how I could rid Dick
of his strange hallucination. I resolved finally
to talk to him in the morning and see if I
couldn't cheer him up. I didn't think then
that when Dick bade me good night it was
the last time he would ever speak to me; but
when I went in his room in the morning to call
him he was dead. Even in death his face bore
the same careworn look of the past six weeks,
and I have no doubt that he must have been
thinking of his turbine up to the last minute.
*******
They buried him in the quiet little church-
yard in Franconia. I didn't think when we
last passed that spot together that he would
be lying there so soon.
It seems to me to be hard for one to die so
young; but when I look at the turbines and
boilers, and all that stuff that I must design
before I can graduate, I think that he has a
regular snap compared with me.
It is very lonesome in the study now, and
no one knows how I miss poor Dick.
Sometimes I sit there alone for hours to-
gether, and think of the good times we have
had, and wish that they could come again.
I remember how one night I sat there think-
ing until I could endure it no longer, and
taking up my hat, I went out of doors. The
moon which was partly hidden behind the
clouds threw a strange light upon the earth
and seemed to make the Institute twice its real
size. It seemed like some huge sphinx stand-
ing there, and I almost fancied I could whisper
my feelings to it and be understood.
I wish it could have understood me, and
also that it would have repeated my words to
those within, for I remember standing there
in the moonlight and calling out in an agonized
voice, " O, ye rulers of the Institute ! Why
will you still persist in slinging at us that in-
strument of torture called the turbine!"
«# » »
OUR "CREMATION."
Here at Stevens we do not "Bury the
Ancient," simply because we have not the
pleasant companionship with this much
abused (?) volume, which always leads the
more fortunate (?) students, whose course em»
braces it, to have a general jollification and
burial when they have " passed."
Nor did we bury anything ; but we burnt!
and what a feeling of relief we experienced as
we watched the flames lick around the leaves
and banged up comers of the well-soaked-in-
oil literature, over which we had spent many
weary and tiresome hours.
The whole thing had been kept a profound
secret ; in fact, so quiet had the founders of
the project kept their pet scheme, that no one
was aware of what was going on until all was
over, and the whole affair voted a perfect suc-
cess by the happy participants.
We assembled at the Institute at 9 p. m. on
the — th of June, and when all was ready
started for the Park, taking the precaution to
split up into small parties, so that the Hobo-
kenites who wear the uniform of the guardians
of the peace should not take it into their pre-
cious heads to interfere. I forgot to mention
that the torches were distributed, and the
" book " presented by the " chief sinner " of
'86, before starting.
When we arrived at our destination we
found the band anxiously waiting our appear-
ance, and, no doubt, more than willing that
9.30 p.m. should pass without our showing up ;
for the agreement with the band master had
been, that in case we did not arrive at 9.30
he was at liberty to go ; and as we would not
tell him what it was all about, I suppose he
felt rather shaky about what the consequences
might be.
At the Park we formed in line and lit our
torches, and as all were lighted at one and
the same time, you can imagine the effect of
the suddenly lighted up Park (we had taken
care to turn down the gas in the immediate
surroundings to heighten the effect), and then
the band commenced No. I. on the programme,
which was a brilliantly executed funeral dirge.
To the slow movement of this tune we marched
up Fourth to Hudson Streets, and from there
to Wareing's, at which place the band, curi-
ously enough, finished No. I. on the pro-
gramme. All hands refreshed themselves, and
started in line again toward the Campus,
where a stand had been erected for the speak-
ers, who were to tell us what joy it gave them
to have the privilege of addressing so intelli-
gent an assemblage, and how highly honored
they felt at the distinction conferred on their
unworthy selves. The procession filed slowly
in, headed by our illustrious President and
the officers of the class ; next came the band,
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
91
playing No. II. on the programme, which was
a brilliantly executed funeral dirge ; following
the musicians came our honorable class, to
whose credit it may be said that they are the
only class that has any of the spirit which is
so often spoken of, but so seldom seen, in Col-
lege history.
After we had assembled on the Campus,
around the framework upon which the last
scene was to be acted, the band played No.
III. on the programme, which was a brilliantly
executed funeral dirge. Then followed the
speeches. Our President addressed his fellow
students in tones of deepest sympathy and
pathos, calling tears to every eye as he told
us, in a voice broken with emotion, of the
many heart breaking hours he had passed in
endeavoring to understand the subject of Eng-
lish and American literature, as expounded
and explained to a great degree of clearness
and lucidity by those worthy writers, Shaw and
Tuckerman ; of the many times that he had
righteously resolved to do a good night's work,
and had been foolish enough to commence by
taking up the book which he at this moment
bdd in his hand, with the invariable result of
going to sleep. The Chaplain next proceeded
with the services agreed upon as fitting the
subject in hand ; after which the band played
No. IV. on the programme, which was a bril-
liantly executed funeral dirge. Just as the
last notes of No. IV. on the programme died
away in faint echoes, the fatal match was ap-
plied to the victim, and as the flames were seen
to have a good hold of his literatureship, the
torches, which had all this time been burning
brightly, and doing themselves proud in honor
of the occasion by occasidhally dropping oil
on troubled waters as a slight amusement, were
put out, and his literatureship allowed to burn
in all his unprecedented and inimitably gor-
geous glory. Only those who have had a long
aquaintance with the now burnt book, can
feel the feelings that we felt as we watched the
fiery flames do their deadly duty dutifully.
^Vhen the last few flickers were over, the stu-
dents knew that the ceremony was over, as
also did the band, which started to play No.
V. on the programme, which was a brilliantly
murdered version of " We wont go home until
morning." Then, with three wild cheers, the
students dispersed. Now, then, if this had
happened, it would have been a fitting demon-
stration of our love for this particular book.
Em.
The worst season for bicycles — fall.
ATHLETIC MEETING.
We regret that our space will not allow a
fuller account of our very successful field
meeting. The promoters of the affair were
agreeably surprised by the enthusiasm shown
and the fair number of spectators. Now that
the thing has been started with such favorable
results, we hope that the future will witness
an annual repetition "of the same.
The following is the official report : 220
yards dash, Cotiart, *86, 27 1-8 sec; 100
yards dash, Torrance, '84, 10 7-8 sec; 100
yards, three legged race, W. Carroll, '84,
Glasgow, '85, 14 sec; one mile run, Maury,
'84, 5 min. 4 sec; hitch kick, Adriance, '85,
8 ft.; running high jump, Greenbaum, '85,
5 ft., I in.; running broad jump, Crisfield, '87,
18 ft. 6 1-2 in.; standing broad jump, Green-
baum, '85, 39 ft. 5 in.; half mile run, Maury
'84, 2 min. 29 sec; throwing base ball, Munk-
witz, '85, 315 ft. 4 in.; throwing lacrosse
ball, W. Carroll, '84, 255 ft. 11 in.; tug of
war, won by '85.
« ^ » »
ri^SIGflJFSR CFR9-
The motion which was made at the last
Athletic Association meeting to the effect that
the game of lacrosse be recognized by the as-
sociation, was not gone about in the right
way, and consequently was not carried
through. The idea was to insure the use of
the grounds for lacrosse and to allow players
" to apply for the use of the grounds not as
outside parties, but as members of the Athletic
Association."
If the Athletic Association is to adopt the
game and put a representative team from the
college into the field, it must be done in the
same manner that the foot ball and base ball
teams are managed, by electing a captain of
lacrosse each year, who shall have a seat in the
Board of Directors, and whose duties shall be
similar to other captains.
So long as there exists in the college a sep-
arate lacrosse association, the Athletic Associa-
tion cannot be compelled to lend the grounds
which are entrusted to its care, for a game
which it does not control. If, however, a
regular captain were elected by the Associa-
tion, there would arise no complicacy, and
balls would be furnished, and the team would
have the support of the college.
92
THE S TE VENS INDICA TOR.
•76.
Wm. Kent read a paper on "Rules for
Boiler Tests " at the Pittsburg meeting of me-
chanical engineers.
'79-
John S. Cooke was recently elected presi-
dent and general manager of the Cooke Loco-
motive and Machine Co., Paterson, N. J.
'80.
John W. Lieb, electrician to the Italian
Edison Company, Milan, Italy, will visit the
States for a brief period this summer.
'82.
Chas. W. Scribner is with the Logan Iron
Works, Greenport, L. I.
F. W. CooKE is vice-president of the
Cooke Locomotive and Machine Co., Pater-
son, N. J.
'82.
W. L. Breath is with A. Gary Smith, yacht
designer. Studio building, 54 West Tenth
Street, New York.
Wm. F. Zimmerman, '76, E. B. Wall, '76,
A. P. Trautwein, '76, E. P. Thompson, '78,
Willard P. Parsons, '80, James B. Ladd, '81,
W. T. Magruder, *8i, and Albert Spies, *8i,
were recently elected members of the Ameri-
can Society of Mechanical Engineers.
-•-♦-
PACKING.
Newly made Sophomore (just finishing ex-
ercise)— " Professor, what shall I go on next ?"
Professor L. — " Make a *exagon."
N. M. S. — " How many sides shall I make
it— eight ?"
A rival of Pat has been found in an upper
classman, who, while asserting his superior
knowledge about certain peculiarities of land
slides, remarked : " I speak from experience;
I have never seen them."
-♦-♦^
SlUFFIF^S B0X.
The " Elysian Fields " will soon be a thing
of the past.
Page, '87, was threatened some time ago with
scarlet fever, but has entirely recovered.
" How does Rice get on with his bicycle ? "
" He get's on very well, but he doesn't stay
on.
Nothing new from our Left Wing, only the
temporary relief to know that the Preps have
gone (for a while).
The Freshmen are receiving that all impor-
tant instruction of how to earn their bread by
the sweat of their brows.
The President of '86 favored the class
with his first real speech on the occasion
of his re-election as editor of the Indicator.
The Fresh ies* " term '* expires July 15.
They are being worked hard, but then
Fresh ies are bad and require some correc-
tion.
Some would say the new helmets look well
on the Hoboken police, but our opinion is
rather that the " peeler " looks well in the hel-
met.
The Indicator, unfortunately, is not an
exception to the rule, and must request sub-
scribers to pay, so that the outgoing board
can close their accounts.
Student. — " Well, professor, he was a sort
of philosopher, I think the book says. O
yes, I remember, he was a noted Meta Physics."
^' That will do, Mr. ."
The game between '85 and *86 was never
played, and the record bears the testimony:
Class games, '85 vs. ^Zd not played. Re-
marks: The former afraid, the latter dasn't."
" The point of inflictiony' says a Sophomore
in Calculus, " is taken — ." But the suffering
is over, and the point may now be anything
and anywhere it should most desire. We (*86)
are through with him.
Elections for editors of the " Indicator "
of 1884-85 resulted in the return of the
present editors from '85, '86 and '87, with the
addition of Smith from '87. The editor from
*88 is elected next term.
Our efforts in lacrosse are on the improve.
One player has already been kept indoors
with a very much disarranged face; but then it
must still be borne in mind that the game is a
more gentle one than fool ball.
The country must have been ransacked for
the color of the catalogue cover. It must be
a big thing, for out of many artists not one has
THE STEVENS INDICATOR,
93
been able to come within miles of striking the
same shade. But then we didn't inquire of
any bill posters.
Something more from the Freshman class.
A conversation, overheard, ran thusly : Indi-
cator is better this month; there have been a
good many articles contributed. I see several
from "Em," but *^£x" seems to write the most;
I wonder who A^ is ?
The catalogue estimate of expenses for the
course is right as far as it goes. But the two
important items of text books and get-rich-at-
any-raU shop material charges, when added,
make one's financial condition as precarious
as that of a Wall Street broker.
It is clearly evident that Prof. Wall's criti-
cisms and discussions in literature have been
more interesting and instructive than the
tiresome repetitions which filled the text book
used; and the question presents itself : Why
cannot this branch of study be improved ?
Commencement week — the first of the kind
for Stevens — proved a grand success. '84 has
set the example, and it remains to be seen
whether the coming classes will exert them-
selves to leave as pleasant an impression be-
hind as the graduating class this year have
done.
Stevens has come out ahead on annuals this
year. The last effort, the "Bolt," has made a
successful departure from the ordinary style
of college publication, and from the reports
which come to us, the reception which it has
received has amply repaid the editors for their
trouble.
Baseball this season was, generally speaking,
a failure. After buying new suits to make our
team invincible and at the same time attract-
ive, the pennant floats off toward Easton.
We congratulate our friends at Lafayette, and
shall look for them again next spring with
higher hopes.
The same Freshman (that was) who is
known familiarly to us in his dual effort to
walk up a lamp post and organize a drum
corpse," has worked off fourteen pounds of
unnecessary stoutness, and may be expected
in the fall, full of new schemes and renewed
'biceptial " power for daring adventures.
"Now, professor," thus recites a student,
it can't possibly make any difference. Why,
|f there is a body having a given force pulling
it and an equal force pushing, why, of course,
it will stand still," and then he smiled at the
professor for asking so simple a question of one
whose knowledge of the subject was beyond
dispute.
Complaints are still being made that a few
of the obliging and curious continue to act as
deputy mail carriers and to open all picture
papers in the P. O., throwing them down
anywhere after having amused themselves.
There is a golden maxim, that " He who tends
to his own business gets rich." Some of us
would do well to consider this.
As a great many have already noticed the
fact, it is hardly worth while to state for the
few who haven't, that the entertainment so
much talked off didn't "come off." A great
many things interfered with its progress, and
it was necessary to give the project up. Still
we ought to devise some means of erecting a
grand stand before the fall games.
Cricket a la St. George is something worth
seeing. The great charm about this peculiar
kind of cricket is that the players are real
English. They can say "Bloody 'ot, 'Arry,"
" 'As thee seen my bloomin' trap," etc., etc.,
but to play cricket is entirely incompatible
with their dignity and waist measure. A
game arranged for this last season would have
been a walk over for the visiting team, but for
the timely appearance of four or five Preps.,
who filled the vacancies on the St. George
eleven.
Prof. Mayers' assistant, during his lectures
before the class of '86, couldn't have been of
the same order as the kind used in the
French Academy. Prof. Mayers takes delight
in telling how the assistant helps the profes-
sor lecturing and what a great relief it is to
have one ; but ours, the only specimen extant,
feels his importance sufficiently to do every-
thing he isn't wanted to, and then smiles and
looks sublimely happy when he can tell a
visitor, who happened to interfere with the
lecture, that ^^ we would be through shortly."
Couldn't the course of literature be shorn
of some of its glory, and the subject of polit-
ical economy be taken up to fill the vacancy ?
The latter study is an important one, and es-
pecially so to us. More benefit could be de-
rived from this than the spending, as we now
do, of hours in memorizing such facts as that a
certain Sir Grandiloquent had lots of cash
and court influence, a sort of ancient dude,
but his writings were not " inimitable " enough
94
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
to merit praise. It takes five pages to explain
this, after which in three lines the student is
recommended to pass over Sir G.'s works as
being below par.
Our worthy janitor having reached the
climax of one of his peculiar humors, the other
day was heard to inquire the shortest way
to a crpw bar which he wanted for some of
his janitorial work. He found the proper
corner after some judicious and thrilling
efforts to ciroumnavigate the blast furnace and
scale the dizzy heights of a soap box or two,
and reappeared with a broomstick weighing
down his right shoulder. Blandly smiling he
disappeared in the dark, with an uncertain
idea that the broomstick was the crow bar.
But our janitor is always full of spirit, and
thus it is his labors are made light.*
From Real Life. — Dramatis persona — A
Student, a Janitor and a fence. Scene — Stu-
dent going home, passes the fence, whose life
is hanging on the ragged edge of despair in
the effort to keep the Janitor '* heads up."
Student^ smiling pleasantly at Janitor — " How
do you do, Mr. Porter?" (His real name
wasn't Porter.)
Janitor — " Now (hie) I haven't expressed
an opinion, I haven't uttered a single syllable
which would criminate me. My argument
remains intact, and to say that I had anything
to do with (the fence shakes), and to say I
did, is simply stating an untruth. My pur-
pose in turning out the gas (fence cracks),
Pres "
Student continues the smiling as before,
passes on, and next day notices carpenters at
work on the fence. (True story).
A member of the Faculty who has been ex-
ercising our intellects on such subjects as the
possibilities of what a body could be capable
of doing at the centre of the earth, etc., is
likely to have a rival from the ranks of '84. A
true genius, in connection with his thesis on
locomotives, after having proven theoretically
and practically that the greatest efficiency could
be reached by using a ten inch belt about the
boiler (his experiments being made on an
actual, real locomotive presented by the class),
has drifted a little from his subject, and
nightly wrestles with a huge combination of
dividers and parallel rulers, to see if it isn't
possible to draw a series of straight lines par-
allel and mutually perpendicular. The out-
come of this will probably be a new text book,
a sort of companion to descriptive, with which
to while away our extra time.
We have been favored during the past
month with many exchanges, among them a
number of new ones, to all of which we would
gladly give notice were it possible, but we can
of course notice briefly only a few.
Our engineering exchanges particularly are
worthy of notice. We wish that we could
present to our readers even a small part of the
great amount of information contained in
them, but this being, of course, impossible, we
remind them that these journals may be pur-
chased at almost any news store, and the stu-
dent will be amply repaid for their perusal.
In the American Engineer we notice among
the great number of excellent articles in every
number a series which has appeared for a
number of weeks on *' The Most Economical
Steam Engine," and also one in which the
theory of the causing of floods by destruction
of forests is discussed. The person who is
interested in iron construction will also find
in the May numbers many interesting articles
and illustrations on work in the various
branches of this department, as on bridges and
roofs.
In the monthly edition of Mechanics we
notice a very interesting article on the con-
struction of heavy shafts for steamships, and
an excellently illustrated description of a
swing crane, of sixty tons capacity, built and
in successful operation at Rotterdam, Hol-
land. The number of May 10 contains an
account of experiment on the value of chilled
iron as a substance for armor plating. On
being tested it gave encouraging results. Al-
though breaking more readily than a malleable
material, it was perfectly impenetrable, ex-
periencing only a slight indentation on being
struck by a steel shell, which pierced without
difficulty a 15 inch wrought iron plate.
The paper contains nothing but what will
sustain its reputation as one of the foremost
journals in its department.
The May number of Van Nostramfs Engi-
neering Magazine^ in addition to a number of
articles on mathematical and mechanical sub-
jects, gives three articles of interest and value
to the electrician. The first is on *' Electric
Launches," and is, as its title indicates, de-
voted to a consideration of the most economi-
cal and efficient method of applying electric
motors to the propulsion of small crafts. The
advantages of this motor — economy of space,
absence of heat and lightness — are very great.
THE S TE YENS IND ICATOR.
95
In point of economy, however, steam is as yet
decidedly ahead, the comparative costs of
steam, storage batteries and primary zinc bat-
teries being roughly given by the writer as i,
2.5, and 12.
The remaining two articles are by the best
authorities — one on " Electrical Units of
Measurement," by Sir Wm. Thompson ; the
other on " Recent Progress in Dynamo Elec-
tric Machines," by Professor Silvanus P.
Thompson.
The last month's number of the Electrical
Review contains many interesting contribu-
tions, and much descriptive matter relative to
recent inventions and improvements. Among
the latter is a minute description, well illus-
trated, of a new system of lighting — the Van
Depoele. It is a Chicago invention, and
seems to have sprung rapidly into favor,
having been already adopted by many cities
and towns.
The Electrician and Electrical Engineer
presents in its May number a comprehensive
article on "Electro Magnets."
A very interesting part of the contents is
the corresjyondence from various great cities
giving the electrical news from the respective
places.
It is with pleasure that we make the
acquaintance of Amateur Mechanics^ an Eng-
lish publication devoted to mechanical theory
and manipulation. The contents are excel-
lent, being devoid of all technicalities, written
in a plain, easy manner, and are of a practical
nature that will recommend them to the
general reader. All the operations described
are well illustrated in a supplement. We
wish for this young magazine a most success-
ful future, and feel safe in predicting the same
for it. It is published* by Iliff e & Sons, 98
Fleet Street, E. C, London.
We are glad to acknowledge the receipt of
the Journal of the Franklin Institute^ for
June. The contents are varied, voluminous,
apd, in regard to quality, in keeping with the
high reputation which the productions of the
society enjoys. The article of most interest
to the student is a revision of Rankine's Gen-
eral Theory of the Turbine, by Professor Wood.
In it he demonstrates that the so-called " gen-
eral" case is really a case of very limited ap-
plication, and the object of Professor Wood's
treatment is to show the limitations and ex-
tend the demonstration. If we mistake not,
an opportunity will be given the students to
obtain copies of the Journal^ when they can
compare the two demonstrations.
We would notice for the first time the Yale
Recordy this being our first opportunity, al-
though we have previously received the paper.
It presents an excellent appearance, and is in
point of contents and finish what one would
expect of a Yale periodical. We commend
the tone of the editorial condemning the action
of the students who burned the shutters from
the hall. For such conduct there is no excuse;
other fuel would have burned just as well, and
such an act shows a spirit of wanton destruc-
tiveness which, even though often met, is en-
tirely out of place. The articles, poems, etc.,
are very interesting.
We have received a copy of the present
year's edition of the Bolty which appeared
shortly after our last issue. The magazine is
decidedly well arranged, contains a consider-
able amount of good reading matter, and is
unusually well provided with cuts. The finish
of the book is excellent, paper, type and bind-
ing displaying no careless work, and the neat
appearance of the whole being a credit to the
management. We can only hope that the next
year's number may be equal in all respects to
the present one.
« # » »
5FRE C0IIUBGB WQRUD.
Columbia. — The Board of Editors of the
Columbiad have adopted the plan of accepting
contributions from students in all the classes.
The "Class Day" exercises were un-
usually interesting, and were enjoyed by a
large number of young ladies — all friends, of
course, of the Seniors. The Spectator ^ves
notice that it will support the Republican
party in the coming campaign, and that stu-
dents are invited to meet at the office of the
paper, on October 2, for the purpose of form-
ing a campaign club. One of the class of
'88 is said to have come in a baby carriage.
The Freshman class will number about
one hundred. The total number of gradu-
ates from the departments of the college since
its foundation now amounts to 8,500.
President Barnard sailed for Europe some
time since, and will be gone until September
15. Since the institution of the intercol-
legiate games Columbia has won 69 prizes out
of 260 given. Harvard is a close second,
^ith 57. The Third Year mining engineers
96
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
Started on their summer trip to the Lake Su-
perior mining regions, June 9. A meeting
of the graduates of the School of Mines was
held at Denver, (!!ol., on July i.
Harvard. — Great surprise is expressed at
the result of the Yale-Harvard race, as con-
siderable confidence was placed in the Har-
vard crew. The Senior class held their
dinner on Monday, June 23. Of the Soph-
omore class, it is said that 99 per cent, part
their hair in the middle. The name of the
Herald Crimson has been lately changed to
The Daily Crimson, A Canoe Club has been
formed. Grounds have been secured for
a polo club. The three strongest men in
the college are in the Senior class. Harvard
has the college and national championship
in tennis. A swimming tank will soon be
placed in the gymnasium. A bronze statue
of the Rev. John Harvard will be unveiled at
Harvard in the coming September. It is the
gift of Gen. Samuel T. Bridge.
Yale. — It is proposed to form a Knicker-
bocker club, if thirty names can be obtained
of those who will agree to wear Knickerbockers
all the time. Out of the first thirty-two
Governors of Connecticut, fifteen were Yale
men. Eighteen, says President Porter, is
the proper age to enter college. '84 gradu-
ated 113 men. The class of '87 had about
$100 in a bank that failed recently. The
Seniors are complaining at the exorbitant
charges for class suppers.
In General. — Of 260 men in Brown, 107
are members of secret fraternities. There
are 330 colleges and universities in the
United States, of which only twenty-four
have more than 200 students, and only seven-
teen have more than twenty teachers. A
large number of these colleges furnish no
better education than can be obtained in a
high school of the first class. One " univer-
sity " in this country has three professors and
twelve students, and another has two profes-
sors and eighteen students. These professors
can take the college home with them at night,
and thus prevent it from getting into mischief. —
The Tribune, There is a debt of $600 on the
Lafayette College Journal, The New York
Evening Post now has regular correspondents at
Yale, Princeton, Williams, Lafayette, Amherst,
Cornell and Harvard. The young ladies of
the Ontario Ladies' College have organized two
base ball clubs. The students at Amherst
are endeavoring to organize a polo team.
A lecture has been delivered at Cornell on
"New Jersey; or, the Mysteries of an Unknown
Land." Vassar girls are said to be so
modest that they will not work on improper
fractions. — Ex. A new college for the
higher education of women has been char-
tered in New York. A new college for
women will be opened in October at West-
bridgeport, Mass. At Little Rock Univer*
sity a Sophomore has been fined two dollars
for kissing a co-ed. Judging from the co-eds
it has been our misfortune to see, the fine
should have been changed to a premium.-^
Ex,
We stood at the bars as the sun went down,
Behind the hills on a sammer's day ;
Her eyes were tender and big and brown.
Her breath as sweet as the new mown hay.
Far from the west the faint sunshine
Shown sparkling o'er the radiant air ;
Those deep brown eyes were turned toward mine»
A look of contentment rested there.
I see her bathed in the sunlight flood,
I sec her standing peacefully now ;
Peacefully standing and chewing her cad,
As I stroked her ears — that Jersey cow.
Harvard Advocate^
How does Pat get over single blessedness?
He proposes to Bridg-it. — Ex,
" Dying in poverty," mused a needy stu-
dent, '^ is nothing ; it is living in poverty that
is hard on a fellow." — Ex.
Wit and Wisdom. — Student (translating) :
" And — er — then — er — he — er — went — er —
and — er." Professor : " Don't laugh, gentle-
men ; to err is human.** — Ex,
Conductor : " Smith Street ! Smith Street !**
— Smith (who is about half seas over, aroused
from his nap by the accusation): "Hie, old
man ; guess's my treat last." — Ex,
Prof, (near the close of a recitation): " Are
there any questions any one would like to
ask?" Pupil (not prepared and anxious):
" What time is it, please ?'* — Ex,
Some one has ascertained the reason that
borrowed books are so seldom returned. It
is because it is easier to retain the books than
the thoughts expressed in them. — Ex.
There is not much satisfaction in editors.
A correspondent came to the chief last night
and exhaustedly inquired : " What in the
world shall I write about ?** " Write about
two columns and a half,** was the pathetic re-
ply.— Ex,
Vol. I.
3K O'bbeie, 1884. K
no. 7.
-Con5E/^5g.
.ia/br ®af2*, . - ^ . . . , . . 100
^«i_«yVftal: mlpRt Raw Hoffania ot M» fa»t go)i«»mo'« Sfo** WMllnj, , 101
iO.)
orffi^..
jfaasiKark. n. j. :
"■5*5 /teVeQj In^titut* oF «»o,l2no|ofy.
THE 1
Stevens Institute of Technology,
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING,
FOUNDED BY THE LATE EDWIN A. STEVENS.
HOBOKEN, N. J.
BENRV MORTOH. rh- D.,
ElFRED M MAVBR Pfi D.,
OBERT !l TUV\>i.lOtr A_ M .
. RlESEHaERGER. ». E..
, A- CARR. Am'1 En^rU S. H.
* -. GEVfLa, rh, D., ,
Prosidrat
Ptat. Pliysin
P/r.r_ ML-ch. Eu^tnriifinc
Prat or Huiov EuKlaeeHui^ aii ■'.
i
H. MOKTON, MoboJcen. N. Jjl
5TEVENS HIGH SCHOOL
THE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT
— OT mm: — .
STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYj
RIVER STREET, bet. Bth and 6ih, HOBOKEN. S. J..
OPENS SEPTEMBER 17, 1884.
Exammatlona fw AimtealBt en thQ IBth bbI leth rf 3Q6l«ra'oi!r.
|NSTROCnON GIVEK VH THE AMCIEKT AND MODERK LANODAQES; IN PREE
HAND AND HECHAHICAL DRAWINa
JUNIOR DEPARTMENT, .... s«0.00 PER ANNUM.
SENIOR DEPARTMENT, .... 8160.00 PER ANNUM.
Tar CBFtdbsueft apply u *jx* £.lbm7Xu 01 SMrenx iniuivsn.
THE
jQTSe^e^s jRdiGil©P.
VU. I.
HOBOKEN, N. J., OCTOBER, 1884.
No. 7.
I Vhe Stsevei^g Indi@at©p.
nWUMiWD ON THB
Wk or EilCN MliTH, OURINB THE COLLEGE YEAR,
BY THE STUDENTS OF
^Ven|! Mitnte of Tecpolog j.
. C. R. COLLINS, *86.
. B. P. If OWTON, *86.
. NORTH McLBAN. *85.
Steal mUtrs.
HBNRY ABBBY, '«5.
LADD PLUMLBY, *97, ROBT. Q. SMITH, *87.
HUBBRT 8. WYNKOOP. '88.
TEMM :-^9LW fut Y«r, hi iUhrtnet. Single Copy, 20 Cents.
• IVil CPw MM atnmd Clmut Matter.
£xim tefits cam hi ohiained at Luthin^s book store^
Smkserihen wiU pUase immediately notify us of any
€ktmg€ im ikeir oddressts or failure to receive the paper
Tke wriiet^sfmii hmv/, as well as his nom de plume,
WMtti mctamfctmy the mrticle^ As assurance of j^ood faith
''wrMmMity; hit it will not be published^ unless desired.
tkemgeSt emtfibutioHs, subset iptions, advertisements,
mUMtrcpwtmmncations by mail, should be addressed
A» Tub Stevens Indicator, Stevens Institute, Hoboken,
N.J.
TfTHE Indicator for October greets its
X friends (it has no enemies), and at the
same dme congratulates itself that it is but
two weeks behind time.
Some of its contents may be new ; some, of
ocnuae, will have grown old with long standing
on the editorial shelf.
The factSy ladies and gentlemen, boys and
FrepSb, are these : The Institute has about one
Imndred and seventy students, each one pro-
daiming his intention to support The Indica-
tor or burst But when the first of October
came around, but six of the one hundred and
■erenty volunteered to support The Indica-
lOR in preference to bursting.
A knowledge of the amount of work the
College requires of each student will show
that the six, with a new recruit, had to use
most of their spare time in order to publish
an October Indicator even this late.
We are not complaining, but all we hope is,
if the one hundred and sixty-three don't do
something for The Indicator next month,
that they will every one explode, burst or other-
wise be reduced to nothingness.
-•-♦
rN the June number of The Indicator the
suggestion was made that the course in
English Literature be shortened in order to
make room for the science of Political Econo-
my. This is to us, and, we believe, to all the
students, an important suggestion, and one that
may reasonably occupy the attention of the
Faculty. In canvassing among the different
classes for statistics for the coming presidential
election, we have found a deplorable want of
knowledge in regard to candidates, party plat-
forms and political terms. We do not think
that an intimate acquaintance with the details
of the campaigns is at all desirable in a stu-
dent, but when he cannot express his opinions
intelligently in regard to a question at issue
his education is surely deficient. On the
other hand, it is not to be desired that the
class be obliged to listen to bigoted professors
ranting on " Free Trade " or " Protection," as
is the case in some of our colleges. Far better
that the study be omitted entirely.
Now we are ready with a plan — as all those
who advocate a desired change should be —
and it is this : In the curriculum, as at present
laid down in the catalogue, the study of the
English language is pursued in the Sopho-
more year as follows : First term, Shaw's
98
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
English Literature ; second term, English
Literature of the 17th and i8th Centuries ;
third term, English and American Literature
of the 19th Century. Now, why may not the
course in English be condensed so that the
catalogue shall read : First term, Political
Economy ; second and third terms English
Literature ? The course in Political Economy
might be made to embrace recitations from
some modem text book and lectures by the
professor ; and after the first few weeks, when
an insight into the subject has been obtained
by the student, he should be required fre-
quently to take part in debates upon promi-
nent topics, the professor deciding according
to the points advanced by the different sides.
By this means the student learns to grapple
with these mat ers as they are brought up in
politics, and will not be readily lead astray by
a demagogue orator or a cultured politician.
There is no object more open to ridicule than
a man who is forward in expressing his opinion,
but when questioned, cannot state his grounds
for such belief other than that such and such an
editor or prominent party leader has said so.
Unfortunately there are many such in this
country. May it never be said that a Stevens
Alumnus is such a man !
It is our earnest desire that the Faculty
may see the advisability of making provision
for this long felt want, and we think that such
a change in the curriculum would never be
regretted. The interest manifested and knowl-
edge gained by the students in such an im-
portant and popular branch of science would
more than compensate for the loss of time in
literature.
« #» »
alRCUMSTANCES prevented last year's
Glee Club from practising much. Their
organization was not completed until the
winter term ; and then the arduous task of
compiling a thesis occupied so large a portion
of the time of some members during the
spring term, that they were unable to attend
the Glee Club's meetings.
As will be seen on another page, some of
the old members are trying to fill up the ranks.
They want to increase their number, to engage
a competent leader, and to organize and get
to work immediately.
Stevens proves no exception to the rule
that tenors are scarce, and all students who
can sing, particularly those singing tenor,
should not be too modest or backward in apH
plying for admission, for we have no hesitation
in saying that all belonging to the club will
be both pleased and profited. The public re-
hearsal given last winter seemed to have been
appreciated, and if all who have it in their
power will assist, we may have the pleasure of
attending not only their rehearsals, but con-
certs which will be a credit to the Club and
the College.
« # » »
FT the Athletic Association meeting on Oct.
I St the subject of a new track at the
grounds was again brought up and discussed.
As the matter of training and a gymnasium is
now being agitated by the students, a few re-
marks here might throw some light on the sub-
ject. In the first place, we will give a brief
history of the old track : It was ordered built
by the association in 1877, and George Giles
was employed to see that the work was done.
It was composed of a lower layer of cinders
and clay, and an upper layer of fine cinders
well rolled, the whole being about one foot
thick. The first year only a few students took
advantage of the new track, and their enthu-
siasm soon slackened to such an extent, that
by the following fall the track was almost de-
serted and weeds were fast gaining a footing
in it. It was evident that we could not use a
track enough to pay to keep it in order.
In 1882 more space for tennis courts was
needed, and the field was also extended, so the
track was ordered dug up at as great expense
as the first building of it cost. The question
has arisen, do we want to repeat the experi-
ment ? Various arguments have been brought
up pro and con. The expense of a track would
have to be defrayed by an assessment upon
the members. Now, if an assessment is to b^
THE STEVENS INDICATOR,
99
made at all, would it not be better to devote
the funds to the erection of a stand at the
grounds for the seating of spectators ? This
was proposed last year and met with great
favor, but the only obstruction to carrying it
out was the liability of the grounds being soon
appropriated for some other purposes. The ob-
jection has now been removed, and we are as-
sured of at least one year's notice before such
is done, and it was also expressed that it was
highly improbable that any other use would
be made of the ground for some years to come.
Were a stand erected, the seating portion
might be so elevated as to make ample room
beneath for dressing rooms, and a room fitted
with various appliances for exercising in which
training might goon during inclement weather,
when a track would be useless. The expense
of building a stand would be more than a
track, but would it not be more advisable to
have a thing of usefulness to all and an orna-
ment to the grounds than a track to be mo-
nopolized, perhaps, by a few bicyclists ?
It lyust be conceded by all that some sort
of new dressing rooms are an absolute necessity.
It is a wonder that a team will visit us at all
when they have to be ushered into such an
edifice of comfort and beauty as we possess,
in order to disrobe.
7Y?E publish in another column a com-
*« munication signed "Zid," in regard
to the proposed "committee on college pins.**
The objections that he urges against the
choosing of such a pin are (i), that the taste
of '87 and *88 is not of a quality to suit all ;
(2) that such a pin is comparatively valueless ;
{3) that it will be either too expensive or
too cheap. We think that these objections
may be met, and, perhaps, to " Zid's " own
satisfaction.
Since we received this communication the
matter has taken on a new aspect. The com-
mittees from '87 and '88 met last week, and
it was decided to request the presidents of the
classes of '85 and '%(> to appoint committees
of three from their respective classes. Thus,
instead of a co-operative plan effecting the
two lower classes, there is a convention of
delegates from each of the four classes, and
the object of this convention is to select de-
signs, which are to be submitted to the stu-
dents and voted upon.
Now, as to the objections. In the first
place, the pin will be an expression of the
taste of the students of the Institute, not of
one class merely. Who have a better right to
decide upon such a matter than those most
directly concerned ? The decision once made,
the announcement goes forth over the country
that the students of the Stevens Institute of
Technology have, by ballot, declared that the
" Stevens pin " shall now and hereafter be
of such or such a design. What class would
ever think of changing it ? Sooner think of
changing college colors for no better reason
than that some student found the present shade
objectionable !
We believe that " Zid " is in the wrong in
stating that college pins are never worn after
graduation. The reason they are not worn
continuously is that there is no need for
them ; but let there be a reunion or a foot
ball match or a boat race, and the badges
are taken from their cotton lined boxes and
pinned on in their accustomed places. No
need of introduction then ! The middle aged
man and the youth just graduated meet for
the first time like old friends. Then, again,
the pin is valuable is this respect : it places
the wearer where he belongs, in the front
rank ; for a man recognized to be a Stev-
ens graduate can possess no higher recom-
mendation as to his ability.
In regard to expense, we think that a re-
fo'rm is needed. It almost always happens
that in a large class there are some to whom
money is not a common article, particularly
in a college like ours, where the expenses are
very great. Now, as a rule, the more fortu-
nate are continually devising schemes requiring
the financial aid of the entire class. Con-
spicuously among these schemes is that for a
class pin. Some favor a ten dollar pin ;
L
lOO
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
Others, one costing but four dollars. A vote is
taken, and the majority are of the first men-
tioned. What are the poorer students to do ?
If they buy the pin, they must suffer incon-
venience in some other direction ; if they re-
fuse, they are accused of " want of class feel-
ing," "stinginess," etc. Thus it often hap-
pens that the pin is bought only to stay the tor-
rent of indignation poured out by unthinking
members of the class. With a standard pin
this difficulty would to a great degree be
avoided, as each student will vote according
to his taste or means, as he prefers. In all
probability the pin selected will be a medium
between the expensive and the cheap design.
Now that the plan for the adoption of a
college pin has become general, dealing with
the college rather than with classes, we are
heartily in favor of it, and eagerly look for-
ward to the realization of such a project.
-♦-♦
To the Editors of the Indicator :
I notice that the idea of a college pin is
being discussed by '87, with the hope of get-
ting the co-operation of '88 and subsequent
classes as they enter in introducing it, so
that after '86 the class pins may be alike
for all classes, with the exception of the dates,
of course. It seems to me that this course
would not be advisable, even if it is now
suited to '87 and '88, for the question arises,
would designs adopted by these two classes be
acceptable to subsequent classes ? True, it
may seem at first one Stevens man would be
able to know another of a different class, and
would be recognized as a Stevens man by
other collegians if they happened to know the
pin ; yet, would not the small advantages thus
derived be more than compensated by the
fact that each class, by its own separate pin,
exercises its taste and humor, according to its
pleasure and without the regrets arising from
the fact that they were not the ones who had
designed it, and thinking that if they had, it
would have been much more artistic and
more expressive of their taste as a class ?
Moreover, when two young men are thrown
together, each soon discovers whether the
other one is a college man or not ; and, also,
in the case of each being from Stevens, they
know each other already, or, at least, have
had opportunity, except when they are of
classes four or more years apart, in which
case one or both are graduates, and a gradu-
ate of any college never wears his pin after
graduation, merely keeping it as a memento
of happy days gone by. Again, one class
might be disposed to have a more or less
expensive pin than another, while with a pre-
scribed college pin, of invariable design, and
that, possibly, of questionable beauty, each
class would have to adopt the same one.
Hence, from these considerations, do you not
agree with the proposition stated at first : it
is unadvisable ? " Zid."
* ♦» »
We notice that the bulletin board, supposed
to be a source of information on college
matters for the students, is turned into an ad-
vertising medium for boarding houses. Some
time ago our hearts were rejoiced at seeing a
» compact list of all boarding houses placed in
one corner of the board, but since then private
advertisements have been encroaching more
and more on the already limited space, we do
not know with whose permission. On^ begins
to wonder whether, judging from the reading
matter on the board, the students of Stevens
are most interested in the matter of spare room
in Hoboken houses, or in their own affairs of
studies and athletics.
A noteworthy change has taken place in the
shop. The tool room has been moved down
to the first floor of the shop, at the north end.
It connects by a small elevator with the supply
room upstairs, so that students may obtain
tools and material at the same time. The
dressing room, formerly taking up the whole
width of the wing, has been cut in half, the
part connecting with the shop, used as a dress-
ing room, has the lockers ranged on two sides
of the room. The othet part connects with
the tool room, where overalls are to be handed
in and are taken charge of by the person in
the tool room. Thus tool lockers and tool
and stock supplies are accessible without the
numerous journeys upstairs which we were
obliged to make under the old plan. It will
also be seen that every one will have his own
overalls without fear of their being *' borrowed "
at different times. Very good; one of those
improvements for which, it is said, there is
always room.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
lOI
WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED AT
THE LAST SOPHOMORE CLASS
MEETING.
While I was dozing in the Literature class
the other day, the lesson came to an end.
When about to leave the room I seemed to
hear notice given that a class meeting would
be held at that time and place. Knowmg that
this was the regular annual meeting, and that
the principal purpose of the gathering was to
elect officers for the year '84-'85, I waited in
my seat. The president rose with great dig-
nity and took the place just vacated by Pro-
fessor Wall. In a few apt and eloquent words
he informed the class of the purpose of the
meeting and called for nominations for the
chief executive office. Like the last Chicago
convention, everybody seemed to wish that
everybody else would keep silent while every-
body spoke. This plan gave results for the
first few moments like those in a meeting of
the New York Park Commissioners, when only
three are present, but soon augmenting as the
number of speakers increased, the flood of
learned and majestic eloquence carried every-
thing before it. Motions, anti-motions, points
of order and amendments filled the air so full
of words that at one and the same time the
writer counted 753 words in mid air, and 483 J
about leaving the mouths of the orators. Such
is the power of mind over matter, that even
the chalk, urged by the mental electricity which
prevaded all space, was seen to leave the
blackboard and table and jump in a lively
manner about the room. The writer knows
this to be true, as he was hit in various tender
parts of the body by small particles of chalk,
which seemed to come from no one knew
whence. With many, this exhibition would
have been entertaining. Not so, however, with
the president, who knew that his reputation
through all time would depend upon his keep-
ing order at this meeting — the last that he was
to preside over ; at least during the Sopho-
more term — ^and so, knowing what responsi-
bility rested upon him, the honorable gentle-
man made all the noise he could on his plat-
form, thus hoping to drown the sounds of dis-
cord and prevent undue oratorical prominence
in the back of the room. At last, with fearful
and astonishing confusion, a president, vice
president and secretary were elected, but, oh !
what dire distress followed the motion to
abolish the office of chaplain. A division on
the question was called, and the contesting
parties took or attempted to take opposite
sides of the room, no one knowing how to
vote or on which side of the room to go if
they did. This was the culminating and last
act, and as the humble narrator of these facts
thought it best to leave at that time, he can
inform the reading public of nothing further.
«^ »*
LECTURE
DELIVERED BEFORE THE SENIOR CLASS OF
STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,
HOBOKEN, N, J., NOV. 1 8, 1 88 1.
Mr. Denton — Mr. Allen has very kind-
ly consented to allow us to ask him any
questions we choose to-day, so that if there is
anything in the questions asked by me which
suggests other questions to any one here, let us
have them, so that we can cover the ground.
We probably shall not get another such oppor-
tunity as this for obtaining information about
the very important matter of boiler insurance,
so that we ought to make the most of it.
Mr. Allen — I will make this reservation,
gentlemen : While I agree to answer to the best
of my ability any questions that may be put
to me, I am not sure that I shall be able to do
so satisfactorily.
Mr. Denton — Will you please explain in
general outline what it is that the Hartford
Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Com-
pany aims to do for the public, and what is
about the charge to the public for their
services ?
Mr. Allen — Professor Denton and gentle-
men : The object of the Hartford Steam Boiler
Inspection and Insurance Company is to pre-
vent the explosion of boilers by making
periodical examinations. I am most familiar
with the business as conducted at our New
York branch office. We make quarterly visits
of inspection to the premises, and at those
inspection visits the inspector looks at theboiler
just as it is being used in its regular operations.
He looks along the furnace sheets and at
the connections, safety valves, steam gauges,
water gauges, and all the safety appliances,
and reports their condition. A verbal report
is given to the superintendent, or manager, or
chief engineer — the responsible person,whoever
he may be, on the premises — and the inspector
on his return to the company's Office writes
out a report, which is sent by mail. Once or
twice a year besides that, each boiler is thor-
102
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
oughly examined internally and externally by
sound — by the hammer. The charges vary
according to the condition of the boiler, its
situation, the steam pressure carried, and a
great many other considerations, generally
from one to three per cent.
Mr. Denton — Of the cost of the boiler ?
Mr. Allen — Not of necessity. We insure
against all damage by explosion. It is on the
boilers, building, stock and machinery.
Mr. Denton — What corps of employes is
necessary to perform the above service ?
Mr. Allen — Well, I have not had occasion
recently to look up the number of boilers we
are insuring. But two years ago we had ten .
thousand boilers under the company's charge.
The number has since increased. We have, as
far as I know, some thirty-five inspectors, with
probably an equal number of special agents,
who have some supervision over the works.
Mr. Denton — Are those boilers distributed
over the entire country, or are they confined to
a particular locality ?
Mr. Allen — Not over the entire country,
but in those localities that are pretty thickly
settled, where business may be conducted with
profit; in the well settled States and in the larger
cities. The company does no business in the
Territories, nor where steam power is scattered,
as in most of the Western States. I think that
in the West we do not extend operations far-
ther than Illinois, and in the Southwest far-
ther than Missouri. And in the South, beyond
«ome portion of the District of Columbia, per-
haps, operated from the Baltimore office, I
think we have no business.
Mr. Denton — These thirty-five inspectors
constitute, then, all — outside of the commercial
equipment — the officials who —
Mr. Allen — Yes, sir.
Mr. Denton— And besides these inspectors
and the special agents and chief inspector,
they are the only ones that are necessary to
take care of the ten thousand boilers ?
Mr. Allen — Those are the gentlemen de-
pended on to make the examinations. I
omitted the general agents, who have more or
less to do with those things, and the president
of the company, who acts as the chief engineer,
to whom all disputed matters are referred for
decision.
Mr. ))enton — How are these inspectors
trained for their work, and from what class of
men are recruits drawn ?
Mr. Allen — The company's experience, so
far as I know, and certainly our experience
here at the New York office, has been most
successful with mechanical engineers — that is,
steam engineers who are practical mechanics —
and there are some boiler makers on the force,
but the bulk of them I believe are mechanical
engineers. They are trained in this way : When
a new inspector is added to the force he ac-
companies one of the older inspectors on his
round of visits for a month or more, before
the company allows him to make any inspec-
tions on his own responsibility.
Mr. Denton — Are there any of technical
education among the inspectors ?
Mr. Allen — I think not, sir.
Mr. Denton— How would the course of
such an institution as this qualify its graduates
for such duty ? Would it be of any assistance ?
Mr. Allen — It would be of very valuable
assistance, sir.
New York, Nov, 19, 1884.
In correction to a reply to question concerning the
selection of employes by this company, Mr. Allen says :
*'I said mechanical engineers — meaning engineer
mechanics. That refers to inspectors only. Those to
whom more important duties are intrusted are selected
from better material.
"As a matter of fact, I applied to your Institute,
through Prof. Thurston, to recommend one of his grad-
uates for employment as special agent, assigned to duty
upon the locomotive at home office, Hartford, only
a few months ago. He informed me, so far as he then
knew, they were all profitably eng^ed, and for that
reason we looked elsewhere, ^r. H. F. Smith was ap-
pointed, a graduate of some Eastern technical school.
I have no doubt the company will be only too glad to
avail themselves of the benefits conferred by institutions
similar to the ' Stevens Institute ' in making selections
for future appointments. The company have a system
of boiler setting which they recommend when their ad-
vice is sought.
Mr. Denton — But besides that, it is essen-
tial that a good deal of practical mechanical
knowledge should supplement it ?
Mr. Allen — Yes, sir.
Mr. Denton — What other boiler insurance
companies are there in this country and in
Europe ?
Mr. Allen — Well, there are some six com-
panies in England and some others on the
continent ; how many, I do not know. They
are being established from year to year. In
this country we have a Mutual Insurance
Company in Boston, and I believe there is a
Mutual Insurance Company in Rhode Island,
and in New York a company that takes a
number of different kinds of business, among
others that of steam boilers in New York
State. I believe those are the only companies
in this country. The mutual insurance com-
panies are not represented hereabout. The
Rhode Island Mutual — I believe that is the
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
103
name of it — or the Providence Mutual (I
don't know which) does not, I think, operate
outside of a small locality around in Rhode
Island ; and the Boston Mutual does busi-
ness with the mills through Massachusetts and
New York — a very limited business. The
New York company is now pushing for busi-
ness in the larger cities of the country.
Mr. Denton — And in England what are
the prominent companies ?
Mr. Allen — The prominent companies
are the Manchester Steam Users* Association,
which, however, is not an insurance company.
It is an association of manufacturers who sub-
scribe according to the expenses pro rata, and
employ inspectors who go about and examine
the boilers of the members of the association.
In fact, that was the starting point in this
business. It was organized by Professor Fajr-
baim about forty years ago
Mr. Denton — Sir William Fairbairn ?
Mr. Allen — Sir William Fairbairn. And
the services of the inspectors proved so valu-
able to the manufacturers in the district they
visited that companies were organized on the
insurance principle to indemnify in case of
loss ; not only to make inspections, but to in-
demnify if loss occurred. The Manchester
Steam Users* Association has been a highly
successful organization, and is doing excellent
service to-day, and is. making experiments
from time to time on a number of disputed
points concerning boilers.
Mr. Denton— The chief technical authori-
ty in that is Mr. Lavington Fletcher?
Mr. Allen — Yes, sir, he is the chief engi-
neer. Then there is the National Boiler In-
surance Company. I am not able to give you
the names of all ; there are some five or six.
Mr. Denton— Are there any in France or
Germany ?
Mr. Allen — Yes, sir ; societies much after
the plan, I think, of the Manchester Steam
Users* Association. In Germany there are
insurance companies. In France, so far as I
know, there are no insurance companies, but
the organization is after the plan of the Man-
chester Steam Users' Association.
Mr. Denton — The Manchester Steam
Users' was, then, the first ?
Mr. Allen — Yes, sir.
Mr. Denton— And all others that followed
based their business and organization on the
plan of that ?
Mr. Allen — Yes, sir ; as far as the exami-
nations were concerned. I think the next
company to succeed them was the Insurance
and Steam Power Company, limiied. I think
that was in Manchester. I think that it was
organized by some of the officers who went out
of the Manchester Steam Users* Association,
and for commercial considerations organized
the insurance part of the business.
Mr. Denton — Who was the originator of
boiler insurance in this country ?
Mr. Allen — J. M. Allen, of Hartford.
Mr. Denton — Was the Hartford company
the first to undertake risks for boilers ?
Mr. Allen — Yes, sir ; the Hartford is the
pioneer company in the United States in that
line of business.
Mr. Denton — Do the fields of labor which
these companies endeavor to serve differ essen-
tially from that of the Hartford company ?
Mr. Allen — In this country, you refer
to?
Mr. Denton — Yes.
Mr. Allen — Well, the other companies
that I have spoken of are in limited districts.
The Hartford company is represented, as I
have said, through the Middle States, through
New England, in the West, and to some ex-
tent in the Southwest. The other companies
are only in the larger cities. New York, Bos-
ton, Philadelphia and Baltimore. There is
one other company I did not mention, the
New York company — the Fidelity and Casu-
alty Company it is called.
Mr. Denton — And the commercial form
in which the duty is undertaken by those
companies is best stated as that of preventing
boiler explosions ?
Mr. Allen — Yes, sir; by periodical exam-
inations.
Mr. Denton — Is there any direction in
which the field of labor or effectiveness of
boiler insurance companies could be increased
by proper legislative assistance ?
Mr. Allen — Well, we ask to be left alone
by State legislation. They make us a great
deal of difficulty and study to impose arbitrary
restrictions for their own purposes. It is
best for us not to characterize it, perhaps.
The courts have held very strongly that the
steam user is responsible for any negligence
on the part of his engineer, or any want of
proper equipment on the boiler — anything
that is essential to the safety of the boiler.
You have recently had a case in Jersey City —
the dry dock explosion — in which the engi-
neer and the owners are now under trial, and
have been presented to the grand jury, and, I
am not sure, but I think, indicted, and the
case will probably be tried. The courts have
L
104
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
held that in the event of an explosion the
owner of the establishment, if suits are insti-
tuted, is bound to prove that every thing
necessary was done to prevent an explosion,
that a competent engineer was employed, and
that a boiler of the requisite strength and
properly kept was used.
Mr. Denton — How does that interfere
with the Boiler Insurance Company's inten-
tions ?
Mr. Allen — That rather contributes, I
think, to the business of such companies. It
does not coerce the steam user into employing
an insurance company; but if he desires to ob-
tain the best advice and the best assistance in
preventing such explosions, he will of necessity
employ a company that has a competent corps
of inspectors and is equipped for doing the
work; and in one or two cases in which losses
have occurred by explosion, and it was shown
that the boiler had not lacked necessary re-
pairs, and was provided with the safety equip-
ments, that constituted a successful defence,
and verdicts were not found against the own-
ers.
Mr. Denton — In case one desired to se-
cure the best assistance of the Hartford com-
pany in purchasing and using a steam boiler,
what advice could he get from them regarding
the best form of boiler to buy, where to
buy it and what material to put into it ?
Mr. Allen — The company would, on re-
ceiving from the person proposing to purchase
a boiler, a promise — which of course is readily
given— to insure it with the company on its
completion, advise him as to the design of
the boiler, and as to the type of boiler accord-
ing to his needs and according to the locality
where it is to be used. Concerning the man-
ufacture of the boiler, the company respect-
fully decline to make any recommendations.
They will furnish the steam user who desires
a specification of details of the boiler, and he
can invite proposals from the boiler makers.
On accepting the proposal he thinks best, he
notifies the company, and they send an inspec-
tor from time to time to the boiler shop where
the boiler is being constructed, and it is the
business of the inspector to see that the con-
ditions of the contract are fully complied
with, and in that way the steam user and our-
selves are fully protected. No matter what
boiler maker may be selected, they ask that
the boiler maker comply with the conditions
of the specification, and if he does not, the
boiler will be condemned and the work upon
it stopped.
Mr. Denton — Some years ago Mr. Laving-
ton Fletcher, of the Manchester Steam Users'
Association, put forward a design of a Lanca-
shire boiler as being the opinion of the society
that that was as good a boiler as one could
use. Am I right in that ?
Mr. Allen— Yes, sir.
Mr. Denton — Do the companies in this
country give their sanction to any particular
form of boiler to that extent ?
Mr. Allen — No, sir.
Mr. Denton — Is it that the circumstances
of the Manchester company enable them to
do that ? That is, does their work lie in such a
direction that they can do it ?
Mr. Allen — We have assumed, sir, that
that is the case. The Manchester company
make a series of experiments, and through
their chief engineer determine that a cer-
tain boiler is the best to use, and recommend
the adoption of such boiler. One of the other
companies have a fusible plug that they put
in the crown sheet, or in the fire furnace of
the boiler, usually in the crown sheet or back
connection at its lowest point, and they make
a rebate on the insurance where this patent of
theirs is employed ; but in this country such
things as that are familiarly known as jobs,
and a company would incur the opposition of
all our manufacturing- boiler makers and
people who are in the supply line if they re-
commended any particular contrivance. We
have had to be extraordinarily careful in the
conduct of our business to keep clear of
all those things. The company's influ-
ence is sought almost every hour to put
something on the market, so that it may be
said that the Hartford Steam Boiler Inspec-
tion and Insurance Company favor this con-
trivance or the other contrivance ; but they
and all their subordinates have to be very
careful that they do not approve anything
officially. All those things conducive to the
safety of boilers are approved generally, and
we leave it to the steam user and owner of
the boiler as to putting on safety appliances
outside the ordinary equipments.
Mr. Denton — If the form of boiler and
place of purchase were settled, how next could
the company assist the buyer ?
Mr. Allen — Ordinarily we could not assist.
The transportation of the boiler would be the
next thing in order, and the place in which it
is to be set. Boilers are oftentimes injured in
transportation by the chafing of the chains or
the manner in which they are blocked up, and
sometimes by wedging up the tubes and pry-
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
105
ing up the tubes while moving the boiler
around, but ordinarily the maker attends to
that. We have found cases, however, in which
there was such injury. The company could
not render much service under such circum-
stances unless the boiler had been used
somewhere.
Mr. Denton — If the boiler were ready for
setting, what advice and assistance would the
company give the owner regarding the setting
and the connections ?
Mr. Allen — The company would advise
concerning the setting and connections of
the boiler in accordance with their experience,
so as to make the boiler accessible in every
part for inspection and to make the setting a
durable one, and to run the pipes and con-
nections in a substantial and safe way.
Mr. Denton — Would they criticise a draw-
ing of a boiler setting, or give the dimensions
for a boiler setting ?
Mr. Allen — Yes, sir ; and that is a very
important thing. And, by the way, gentlemen,
speaking about the connections to the boiler,
you have a case in point in this recent explo-
sion at Jersey City. I do not know how closely
you have followed it, but the accounts given
in the public prints are very often garbled,
and they come to us in such a shape that,
unless you have some personal knowledge of
the case, you are left in ignorance of some of
the most important facts. In the case at
Jersey City, the safety valve attached to the
boiler was a trifle small, according to the
United States official regulations on the subject,
and they are the only official ones in this
country. The safety yalve had a diameter of
about 2 J inches. Instead of the valve's blow-
ing out freely, there was a pipe that conducted
the waste steam to the open air, and that was
only an inch and a half. So that there was a
safety valve 2 J inches in diameter, and in
connection with that a pipe that reduced its
effective area to an inch and a half, besides
the friction of the elbow and the pipe, and
the placing of stop valves between the safety
valve and the boiler. That is another com-
mon error in the equipments of boilers. We
had a very violent explosion in Newark
within the last year at Balbach's refinery,
resulting from that. They had placed the
steam gauge connection on the main line of
pipe, and the safety valve also on the same
connection, and two stop valves — two valves
by which the steam could be stopped off
between the boiler and the safety valve — and
when they were shut off there was no means
of knowing what pressure was on the boilers.
The safety valve connection was on the
branch pipe between the two boilers, and
between that connection were these stop valves
that I speak of, so that the pressure accumu-
lated to a dangerous extent, until it reached
the limit of the strength of the boilers and
both blew up.
Mr. Denton — In this boiler specification
that I mentioned as having been put forth by
Mr. Lavington Fletcher, I noticed that con-
siderable emphasis was laid upon having
room enough between the boiler and its walls
or the walls of the setting to allow a person
to walk around the boiler and get at every
part of it. In contracting for boilers in this
neighborhood, I have known that idea to be
spoken of as detrimental to economy. What*
is the fact in the case? Is economy so ef-
fected by having room for walking alongside
of the boiler as to make it worth while to build
the walls in close to the boiler ?
Mr. Allen — That is a disputed point, Pro-
fessor. The recommendation of the inspec-
tion companies is to have a suitable space all -
around the boiler so that it can be inspected.
Probably on first getting up steam all that
space has to be heated at the expense of the
fuel. After that is once done and the boiler put
into operation, there is very little loss from
that account. We think that there is no ap-
preciable loss, and that the gain is so great
that all boilers should be set in that way to
make them accessible.
Mr. Denton — Then if a drawing were pre-
sented by a boiler user, showing the walls of
the setting to be within four inches of the
shell of the boiler, the company would not
hesitate to advise him to make that twelve
inches ?
Mr. Allen — To make that of such a dis-
tance that an inspector could crawl around
that and get to the riveted seams — twelve or
fourteen inches — get to the girth seams and
the shell of the boiler.
Mr. Denton — When the boiler user had
set his boiler ready, would the company assist
him in the selection of a competent fireman ?
Mr. Allen — A few of the larger cities have
municipal inspections ; and before a boiler
can be run it is necessary to obtain a certifi-
cate of inspection from those authorities. It
is contrary to law to run a boiler without it.
That is the case in New York and Philadel-
phia, and I believe Brooklyn, and in other
cities in the West and the same in the East,
and Boston, perhaps. The company, on the
io6
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
applicalioaof ihe abjured, will always give any
information. Thev do not interfere in the
matter. If the inspector has any reason to
believe that there is any carelessness or negli-
gence in the management of the boiler or
machinery, or such other things as we have
charge of, he ascertains as to the capability of
the man, and that is included in his report.
Mr. Denton — This question was based on the
custom in large manufactories — for instance.
Hoe's Printing Press Works — of recording the
name of a man who is capable of running a
printing press as soon as he gets out of work ;
and people get into the habit of applying to
Hoe for a competent pressman. The question
was put to learn if that practice was encouraged
by boiler insurance companies — that is, their
suggesting the names of good firemen, or
attempting to keep themselves posted as to
where a good fireman could be obtained.
Mr. Allen — It is done to some extent, not
by the company, but by its employes. A
man, known to be a good man, having been
employed at some place where the com-
pany has been insuring and inspecting, will
come to the company's office on getting out
of employment and leave his name with the
company, and ask to have the privilege of
referring to the company. The company
never erive any written recommendations to
any one. What I described has been done
to a limited extent.
( To be Continued,)
AlFgliBSFIGS.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE S. I. A. A.
-#-<-
A SUGGESTION.
Why not have an athletic association bul-
letin board ? By that, we mean a board on
which athletic matters and notices can be
posted, without danger of being pulled down ;
quite a number of notices on this subject are
mislaid or waylaid, before all have had a
chance to see them. Under the present sys-
tem, all official notices are put under the glass
of the now universal board, very much on
the plan of a shingle roof — one part over-
lapping another — very often covering it alto-
gether. Again, to get a notice under the glass
case, you must hunt up one of the jani-
tors, or pin it fast to the frame of the glass
door, the said frame looking very much as if it
had attempted to stop a charge of shot, with
indifferent success.
We would like to see a neat board put up
somewhere in a place where all could see it,
and on which nothing but athletic notices
should be posted.
In accordance with the constitution, the
first regular meeting of the term was called
October i, in Prof. Thurston's lecture room.
The meeting was called to order at 2.15 p. m.,
with President W. S. Dilworth in the chair.
The three upper classes were very fully
represented among those present, who occu-
pied the centre of the room, while the stand-
ing room was pretty well occupied by mem-
bers of the Class of *88, who had dropped in
to witness the proceedings and to see that
they were duly elected members of the asso-
ciation. Several familiar faces of the Class of '84
graced the assemblage, and Messrs. Kletzsch
and Maury showed several times that their
interest was still alive by taking part in the
discussions.
Their longer experience and superior knowl-
edge added much to the weight of their ad-
vice. ,
Clerk O. H. Baldwin, of the Board of Direc-
tors, reported for that body, stating that they
had not been able to rebuild the track at the
grounds during the summer, as financial pro-
vision for the work was wanting and the
treasury could not well be taxed to that extent
in its present condition. He had received an
offer, however, from a contractor to build the
track and sod the base ball diamond for S150.
A committee was appointed to confer with
the Hudson County wheelmen, to see if an
arrangement could not be made with them
concerning the track. Several games of foot
ball have already been arranged, and eight
colleges are yet to be heard from. The
treasurer reported $21.65 ^^ ^^ treasury, with
rent from the St. George Cricket Club yet to
come in and all the fees from members, which
will put the association on good footing for
the coming foot ball season.
The election of officers was next in order,
and resulted as follows :
President : R. H. Rice, '85.
Vice President ; Burchard, '85.
Recording Secretary : Abbey, '85.
Corresponding Secretary : Collins, '86.
Treasurer : Field, '86.
Directors : Dilworth, '85 ; Adriance, '85.
Base Ball Captain : E. Munkwitz, '85.
An alteration in the constitution was also
made, providing for the election each year of
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
107
a lacrosse captain, and he is also to be a
member of the Board of Directors.
R. Norris, '85, was elected lacrosse captain
for the ensuing year.
It was proposed to make a charge of admis-
sion to the foot ball games for members, but
was ruled out of order, as contrary to the con-
stitution. A written resolution was handed in,
signed by Baldwin and Adriance, to that
effect, to be voted on at the next meeting.
It was also agreed to add 25 per cent, to
the dues if not paid before November i.
The meeting adjourned at 4 p. m.
STEVENS VS, VALE.
The foot ball elevens of Yale College and
Stevens Institute met on the new foot ball
grounds at New Haven, Saturday, Oct. 11,
in the presence of about 500 spectators.
The contest resulted in an easy victory for
Vale, although the score did not reach the
much coveted 100 points.
Yale put the following men in the field :
Rushers; Corwin, Robinson, Peters, Storrs ;
centre : Flanders, Marlin, Bertron.
Quarter Back : Bayne.
Half Backs : Terry and Goodwin.
Full Back : Richards, captain.
Stevens team were as follows :
Rushers : Cotiart, Burhorn, McLean,
Kletzsch, Hart ; centre : Brownell, Munk-
witz.
Quarter Back : Maury.
Half Backs : Baldwin (captain), Gibson.
Full Back : Glasgow.
The game was called at a few minutes past
three o clock ; Stevens having won the toss,
took the wind in their favor. Yale started by
kicking off.
In two minutes Yale succeeded in obtaining
a touch down directly behind the goal posts,
but failed to make a goal from an easy kick.
After the ball was again kicked off by Kletzsch
the ground was hotly contested for five min-
utes, when Yale got the ball from a scrim-
mage and carried it barely over the line, where
a maul in goal ensued, in which Yale made a
touch down. A goal was obtained from this,
and two more touch downs for Yale followed,
but in each case they failed to kick a goal.
Here followed some better work for Stevens,
and in one instance the ball reached Yale's
twenty-five yard line and a down for Stevens
was made there. Yale began to work desper-
ately now, and by a fine run and quick dodg-
ing Terry obtained a touch down, and from
this a goal was kicked. The first half was
finished with three more goals from touch
downs for Yale.
Play was called for the second half at 4.13
p. m. The second half was characterized by
stronger playing on Stevens' part, Baldwin
and Kletzsch making some good plays and the
rush line blocking harder. Gibson made
some good catches, obtaining free kicks. Terry
made several good runs, dodging in his pecu-
liar way most effectually. In this half, Yale
secured ^v^ goals from touch downs, two
goals from field kicks, and Stevens made one
safety. Baldwin tackled sure, and usually
threw his man. Kletzsch 's long" kicks at the
proper height attracted much favorable com-
ment.
A very noticeable point in Yale's playing
was the closeness with which they followed
each other up, several always being ready to
receive a pass.
The score was :
VALE.
Gosis from touch downs 10
" field kicks 2
Touch downs failing goal 6
STEVENS.
Safeties i
Yale 9O
Stevens o
UMPIRES.
Yale, E. M. Schultz. | Stevens, W. S. Dilworth.
PRINCETON VS. STEVENS.
On Wednesday, the 15th inst., Stevens Foot
Ball Team played the first game of the season
on their own grounds. Their opponents, the
Princeton Team, although victorious, found it
necessary to work extremely hard, and then
were only saved from defeat by good for-
tune. Each college had nearly its strongest
team in the field, the players being as follows:
Stevens — Rushers : Cotiart, Adriance, Mc-
Coy, Dilworth, Hart, Burhorn and N. Camp-
bell.
Quarter Back: Munkwitz.
Half Backs: Baldwin (captain) and Kletzsch.
Back: Maury.
Princeton — Rushers: Hodge, Irvine, Fine,
Adams, Bird (captain), Harris and Green.
Quarter Back: Worthington.
Half Backs: Lamar and Baker.
Back: Toler.
The decisions of Mr. Storrs, of Yale, who
acted as referee, showed impartiality and the
best of judgment, and Stevens* umpire, Mr. E.
Schultz, was a model.
L
io8
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
The game was called at about 3.30 p. m.,
Kletzsch kicking the ball rather low and to
one side of the field, so that Campbell caught
it and at once started toward Princeton's goal.
Before he had gone many feet, however, he
was thrown by a Princeton rusher. Kletzsch
made a good kick, and was answered by Lamar
with a long high kick, which landed the ball
near Maury. Our full back proved equal
to the occasion, and dropped on the ball in
most approved style. Baldwin sent it a little
beyond the centre of the field, and owing to
the fumbling of Lamar, Campbell secured it.
Kletzsch then made several good attempts to
force through the Princeton rush line, each of
which forced the play a little closer to the
enemy's goal. Baker unsuccessfully attempted
a catch from Baldwin's high kick, and Bur-
horn by a quick pick up and a couple of good
dodges succeeded in placing the ball between
himself and the ground just back of the
Princeton's goal line, but the referee allowed
the claim of " interference " and Baker was
given a free kick.
Princeton's half backs now tried running
with the ball. Lamar, with excellent dodging,
carried it from the 25 yard line to the middle
of the field. Several times Lamar and Baker
tried to get nearer to Stevens' goal, sometimes
gaining a little and at others being forced
back. The latter finally succeeded in gaining
a quarter of the length of the field, but was
thrown to the ground with such force by Bald-
win and Cotiart that he was unable to con-
tinue playing for several minutes. The ball
was carried by Kletzsch back to the centre of
the field, and shortly afterward Lamar kicked
it well down toward Stevens' goal line. Kletzsch
tried to catch it, but only succeeded in touch-
ing it with the ends of his fingers, thus chang-
ing its direction so much that Maury, who was
running up for it, had to go back nearly to the
goal line, where he picked it up and kicked it.
The ball striking one of them, bounced back
over the goal line, and as a Princeton man
reached it first, he secured a touch down.
The trial for goal, however, failed.
After the ball was kicked from the 25 yard
line, a good run by Baldwin, and another by
Cotiart, in the latter case the ball being splen-
didly passed by Munkwitz, forced the play
close to Princeton's goal. After making a
touch in goal, Stevens' opponents succeeded
in taking the ball nearly to the centre of the
field, when time was called.
The second half was very much a repetition
of the first. Princeton's big centre rusher.
who seemed to be the pet of the team and was
familiarly called " Jim," had the ball passed
to him quite frequently, but his weight and
strength were not half as successful as the
dodging of Lamar and Baker.
Much of the time the ball was between
Stevens* 25 yard line and the centre, but
'several times it was worked dangerously near
Princeton's goal. Twice Baldwin and
Kletzsch both tried to catch the same ball, and
as a result, both missed it ; but fortunately no
great loss was experienced as a result. Bur-
horn was slightly injured toward the close of
the half, and Kletzsch took his place in the
rush line, Campbell playing half back and
Greenebaum end rush. The latter did some
very swift running, spoiling a kick by Lamar
several times. This, with good general play-
ing, brought the ball to Princeton's 25 yard
line, where it remained a few minutes, and was
then gradually worked to within six feet of
the goal line, when time was called. No ex-
pression of what might have happened if the
play had been for 45 instead of 35 minutes
are necessary, as the facts remain the same,
the score standing, Princeton one touch down,
or 4 points, to Stevens o.
The playing of all the members of the team
was very satisfactory, and the experiment in
placing the men was fortunate. Munkwitz
with practice will make an excellent quarter
back, and Dilworth's place is certainly centre
rush. One of the weak points in our team
was the way in which the Princeton half backs
were tackled. Lower tackling and following
up the man after he had dodged would have
been more successful than, after having been
passed, turning and watching for the next man
to do the work. Otherwise the tackling of
the team was excellent, Campbell, Adriance
and Cotiart deserving particular mention. The
team would find it advantageous to practice
passing, so that the work in a game may not
only be better done but divided more. If the
end rushers can get the ball every time it is
thrown to them, they have a much better
chance of gaining ground than the half backs,
and being almost on a line with the original
position of the ball, the risk of losing is a
minimum.
If players who are not on the team will give
it the much needed practice, we may make a
good record this year at foot ball.
Suspenders for college breeches is a Junior's
definition of faculty. — Dartmouth.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
109
siFyPFir^s Bex.
Where is our Grand Stand ?
Remember ! " Fen collectin' in groups "
this year.
A college pin is one bi the things to be set-
tled this year.
Has Stevens any trustees — /. ^., outside of
the catalogue ?
Overwork in the Chemical Laboratory is a
sore question with '86.
Let the subscription to the Bartholdi pedes-
tal fund be a liberal one.
The Glee Glub promises to be a greater
success this year than last.
'86 thinks Sir William Thomson didn't
thoroughly appreciate their fine work.
Bass, formerly '86, has returned from South
America, and is continuing his studies in
•87.
Membership tickets of the Athletic Associ-
ation will be changed in color each year to
avoid confusion at the gate.
'86 lost its pet watermelon, didn't it ? Too
bad ! But never mind, '85 enjoyed it and re-
turns many thanks for the treat.
'88 numbers fifty-three men, most of whom,
even this early in the year, have established
their reputation for " unwashed " gall.
The bulletin board must pay a large per-
centage to some one (not the janitor, of
course), for those "gentlemen's apartments
for rent " notices.
" Say, fellows, we didn't have our best team
at Yale, did we ? But when we played Prince-
ton, who would have thought Stevens could
have braced up so in one half week."
Where is the waste paper basket that be-
longs in the comer of the sanctum ? It can
be recognized as being modern and more
artistic than those in general use about the
Institute.
Serrell, *86, had a severe fall from his bicycle
early in the summer, breaking his arm and
cutting and bruising himself considerably. He
is now under the care of a surgeon and is
progressing slowly.
Politics in Stevens show a large Republican
majority. As near as we can obtain, the total
figures amount to Republican, 105; Democrat,
d^ ; and there are still to be deducted several
of the latter, who favor protection.
Some one informs us that Prof. Leed's dog
has been named " Donald," after our good
janitor. Now, if this is so, we editorially sug-
gest something more appropriate, either
" Jersey Lightning" or " C, H, O."
The Freshmen have accomplished that all
important matter, the election of officers :
President, McCoy ; Vice-President, Whigham ;
Secretary, Isaac; Treasurer, Echeverria ; Edi-
tor for The Indicator, H. S. Wynkoop.
A Freshman wants to know if the signs " To
Let " on trees along Hudson Street mean
that roosting accommodations can be had
there. If so, he would like to rent one, where
he could study " Fowler " to advantage.
Up to the time of going to press '86 has
held no elections. Probably the Juniors are
still suffering from an overdose of watermelon
adminstered during the Preliminary Term,
and haven't returned to things earthly.
This year a touch down failing goal counts
four points ; but a goal from touch down six, as
last season. This arrangement gives team work
the larger proportion of the score and not
individual playing, as was the case last year.
When Penna. University played here last
fall, thirty-one heavy, broad, long and thin fel-
lows passed through the gate as " Team." We
publish this for the benefit of those who ac-
company our team on November 8 to Phila-
delphia.
'85 held its election promptly in the early
part of the term. The officers for the ensu-
ing year are as follows: Pres., H. D. Williams;
Vice-Pres., W. A. Adriance ; Secretary, J. M.
Rusby ; Treasurer, A. U. Burchard ; Histo-
rian, C. A. Pratt.
The two changes in text books this year
are Trigonometry for the Freshmen, they
using Wood's edition, and a revised edition
of Shaw's Literature for the Sophomores. O,
happy (?) Sophs ! Shaw was bad enough last
year, but to revise him —
A member of the Institute received a very
severe blow in his eye while playing foot ball.
As he was just returning to consciousness, his
I
L
no
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
uppermost thoughts were revealed by his mut-
tering : " Guess I can work this on the Fac-
ulty for two weeks. Ah !"
A stormy meeting of the Sophomore Class
resulted in a general change of officers. The
following men were unanimously elected for
the year '84-85 : President, R. N. Bayles;
Vice President, J. Day Flack ; Secretary and
Treasurer, Jas. A. McElroy ; Historian, R. M.
Anderson.
The fence at the athletic grounds is in sad
repair in several places. It suffered consider-
ably the day Smithson was allowed the use of
the grounds, and there is no reason why he
should not be made to share the expense of
repairing it.
Lord Du Asiplease, known in the United
States as Smithson, has a strong tendency to
lord too much at the grounds. He takes his
Christmas present and " free days," probably
forgets about them next day, and resumes his
role of potentate of "St. George's Field."
Dr. Everhart has taken the chair of Professor
of Chemistry at University of Texas. We
take this occasion to express our regret in
losing so pleasant and thorough instructor, and
wish him the good share of success in his new
undertaking which he so richly deserves.
There was a fence built near the High
School, presumably for the purpose of keep-
ing the Preps, within their own proper bounds.
But the Preps., like all animals of their species,
must needs roam at large over the campus
and claim most of this part of the globe for
a pleasure ground.
A bicycle club was organized last year ;
but this year there is no club, for says its
chief : " We organized last year, but our club
requires an organize each year, and for this
reason we have none. Ed. — Organize in this
connection means a new supply of collar
bones, legs, arms, heads, etc., to fill vacancies.
The political arguments of the Hoboken
Advertiser are truly chilling, especially those
in which the sublime effort of belittling our
voting strength in the eyes of the people of
Hoboken is attempted. Not unlike some
sublime efforts of like order, which have passed
into history, they assume the very distinct
shade ridiculous.
The percentage of loss in the different
classes tallies very closely with Prof. Wood's
estimate, which he always provides the Fresh-
men with. The loss in '85 was about 15 per
cent.; in '86, about 23 per cent.; in '87, about
20 per cent. Now, Freshies, here is an inter-
esting table to examine at your leisure, but it
will cause no alarm if you have courage enough
to work hard and faithfully.
To be polite and not cause any ill feeling,
we ask our friends, the alumni, to turn to some
of our back numbers and read over our re-
quest for alumni contributions. We cannot
reprint the request, and, therefore, merely ask
that they duplicate our earlier expressions in
regard to the matter ; it may suggest to some
the picture of an empty pigeon hole in our
sanctum labelled " Alumni Contributions.'
»f
The foot ball team has not been definitely
settled upon as yet, but there are a number of
candidates for positions who are in hard train-
ing. The following, if not exact, may show
somewhat who are to represent Stevens this
season :
Rushers : Burhom, Kletzsch, Hart, Cotiart,
Campbell, Adriance, McCoy.
Half Backs : Baldwin (captain), Brownell,
Kletzsch or Campbell.
Quarter Back : Healey.
Full Back : Glasgow or Maury.
The average weight of the rush line is 170I
lbs.
Stevens is always upward and onward, pa-
triotically speaking, but the last rise in the
appearance of another publication — " The
Eighty-Four** — is surprising, and our query is,
can Stevens, or still less, can one class support
two college papers ? And then have our
friends in '84 so soon forgotten that the life
of The Indicator depends as much on their
contributions as any; and why throw them into
other channels, where none can profit but
'84 ? Selfish is the most suitable word to
express our opinion. Let us all know what
you are doing, for you may rest assured we
shall never lessen our interest in your class.
Scene. — Area way between shop and labor-
atory. A Junior, a string to the lecture room
in the second story of the laboratory, and a
small Hobokenite comprise the principal
actors.
Junior — Now, here ! you hold on to the
string and wait until I pull from above. Then
you go right through this side door and stand
on that yella' dog's tail until he howls. See ?
Hobokenite — I'm your size, but gimme me
cent now !
THE STEVENS INDICATOR,
1 1 1
Junior completes the bargain, calculating
inwardly : Now Prof, can't hear a recitation
and hear his dog ** James Donaldson " howl
at the same time ; so if I get stuck I'll pull
the string, " James Donaldson " howls, Prof,
distressed on account of James D., hesitates;
then comes my chance to use those golden
moments in perfecting my imperfect knowl-
edge of the question asked ; this finished, I
pull string twice, dog stops howling, and I find
myself in the elysium of a " Correct, sir," from
Prof.
The Republican Club of the Institute or-
ganized early in the fall with the following
officers : President, McCoy, '85 ; Vice-Presi-
dents, McLean, '85, Chester, '86, , '87,
, 88 ; Secretary and Treasurer, Adriance,
'85 ; Captain, Hart, '87. The club made
its first appearance the night of the Repub-
lican parade in Hoboken. About sixty men
turned out, and through the exertions of
Capt. Hart made a very creditable dis-
play. The Blaine cheer was a great feature,
and was received with a becoming overflow of
patriotism all along the line. Our friends, the
Fourth Warders, argued persuasively with
bricks, dirt and other pointed remarks, but we
proved to their entire satisfaction that stout
canes were preferable, and that their cause
must fail. The club was received in a more
warm hearted way after we left the " Fourth "
and got on high ground. The decorations
about the town were profuse. Prof. McCord's
house was brilliantly illuminated. Prof.
Thurston did not illuminate, but as the club
passed he gave suflftcient evidence of his sym-
pathy.
« ^ » »
^eRS6I^AIlS.
•76.
Alfred R. Wolff, of the firm of Weight-
man & Wolff, consulting engineers, is now
carrying on the business alone, his partner re-
tiring.
'82.
Addison A. Righter is situated at the
Yantic Woollen Mills, Connecticut.
'83.
Morgan Brooks is now with the American
Bell Telephone Co., Boston.
James E. Sague is with the Chicago, Bur-
lington & Quincy R. R. at Aurora, 111.
'84.
Wm. S. Aldrich is in the draughting de-
partment of the Ball Engine Co., Erie, Pa.
James Beatty is Professor of Mechanical
Engineering and Astronomy at Haverford
College, Penn.
Wm. H. Bristol is still teaching in New
York City.
Samuel P. Bush is in the shops of the Chi-
cago, St. Louis & Pittsburgh R. R. at Logans-
port, Ind.
Richard L. Fearn has become a partner
in the Atlanta Engineering Company, At-
lanta, Ga.
E. H. Foster has a position in the testing
department of the Worthingion Pump Works,
Brooklyn.
H. L. Gantt is with Poole & Hunt, tur-
bine manufacturers, Baltimore, Md.
David S. Jacobus is assistant instructor
to Prof. Denton, at the Institute.
\ LViN P. Kletzsch is assisting Prof. Thur-
ston in the Mechanical Laboratory.
Benj. W. Tucker has a position as draughts-
man in the Newark Filtering Company.
John Van Vleck is draughtsman for the
Edison Electric Light Co. for isolated light-
ing.
Chas. W. Whiting is in the engineering
department of the P. & R. Coal and Iron Co.,
Pottsville, Pa.
*^ »>
jpiE GeUliBSB W0RII9.
Columbia. — The class of '86 have added
racing to their other accomplishments. Last
month ponies owned by two members of '86
came in respectively first and second at the
Morristown, N. J., races. Columbia has
lately lost two of her trustees by death.
The old crown, which in the time of George
the Second surmounted the old college build-
ings, has been placed in the present college
library. It appears that some members of
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
ihe fool ball team were practising during the
summer at Ihe Catskills. No students have
left Columbia to join other colleges this year.
The trustees of the Spectator Publishing
Company having just declared a dividend of
ten per cent.
Harvard. — The Advoeate has an editorial
condemning the " disgraceful treatment which
certain visiting teams experienced last year at
New Haven." The editors evidently intend
to stand up for the '"lambs." However,
Yale's conduct was not what it should have
been on those occasions. A valuable
collection of meteorites has been added to
the museum. Harvard has now a canoe
club.
Vale. — The foot ball players have done
some good work in practising this fall.
James G. Blaine's son and Grover Cleve-
land's father are graduates of Yale. This
year's Vale choir is the best for years.
Vale mourns the loss of many athletic spirits.
Williams. — The Blaine and Logan Club is
in a flourishing condition H. A. Garfield
is president of the Class of '85 and also editor-
in-chief of the AihfmEum. Certain members
of the Faculty have signed a paper pledging
themselves not to vote for Blaine and Logan.
In General. — It is estimated that nine-
tenths of the college students in this country
are Republicans.- — -The Princeton rush re-
sulted in adraw, Prof. Sylvester, an Amer-
ican scholar, lately at John Hopkins Univer-
sity, but now at Oxford, is declared by English
men of science to be the greatest living mathe-
, Lehigh University has received
s additions to its buildings this sum-
mer. The new gymnasium at Lafayette
College is now completed.
BXCEflRSBS.
During the summer vacation some of our
engineering exchanges, all of which are highly
appreciated, have appeared regularly, white
others have favored us occa.sionaIly, so that
the examination of our svimmer mail disclosed
an unexpectedly large amount of valuable
matter. Some old college exchanges we have
not yet received, but their arrival, the renew-
ing of old acquaintances as well as making
new ones, of which we hope there may be
many, and the benefit to be derived from mu-
tual friendly criticism, are anticipated with
pleasure.
For only one of several new arrivals have
we a word in this issue. The first number of
a paper published by the Class of '84, and
called Tht Eighty-Four, was received a short
time ago. It is to contain as its main feature
*'a letter from each member of the class at
each issue" and abstracts from papers de-
livered by members of the class before the so-
cieties of mechanical, civil, mining and elec-
trical engineering," etc., as secondary fea-
tures. The latter will probably be quite
secondary for some time to come, and it they
should deserve prominent mention, we fear it
■will be some time after the demise of " The
■Eighty- Fou r. ' '
The principal feature can never be carried
out; not even tn a classical college, where
much attention is given to literary worlc,
could such a plan be successful. How absurd,
then, in a college tike Stevens, where literary
training is unfortunately so much neglected,
to attempt to carry out any such plan. The
interest in the Class of '84 and in the College
which is indicated by the T/u £.ighty-Four
might better be directed in some other chan-
nel.
GBIgPIl^ES.
Full muiij a roiid luu io;cii vrith kerosene.
And sailed to glory in a gorgeous glare ;
Full mnnf a man hm poked al glycerine.
And flown promiseuous lluough the desert .lir.
Bs.
Senior asks professor a very profound ques-
tion.
Prof.— "Mr. W— , a fool can ask a ques-
tion that ten wise men could not answer. "
Senior — " Then, I suppose that's why so
many of us flunk." — Ex.
" When does school commence again ?"
The Freshman turns up his nose and says he
does not know. The Sophomore laughs up-
roariously and does not answer at all. The
Junior smiles politely, and explain- ''-*■ - -
generally say college here; but
answers promptly, 'next Thursd
Record.
^^^INIX^P
fi^«-
* /yovembe|», 1884. *i
CoRSE/^ISg.
prConea of fHa #£u3tj of httUroCun.
m Cfte profaMion,
,, JJcjf,
Ro. 8.
nj l/35tlUil".'
THE Sr^rs/^S rifDrCATQR.
I
Stevens Institute of Technologi
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING,
POUNDED BV THE LATE EDWIN A. STEVENS.
HOBOKEN, N, J,
HBMRY MORTON, Ph. D.
ALFRED M. MAYER, Ph. D ,
ROBERT H. THU«STON. A. M
DEVOLSON WOOD, C. E,,
C. W MeCOHO, a. M-. ,
ALBERT R LEtl'.^, 'i'w. 'a
CKAP.L - " "
HEV
J, E, .■
Pfof. &oile»-inui
PniL e[ Expcrincatal Mecbaaitn uid Sliopwon
in lailituie b irf fvu- jein ^untion toil coien >I! -
J ' meant cJ wurluliofit pryildnl vllb aateUait oi-uSiii.rr
^ -.t><u,<t .,• (-joaK ud WHb Ibn Aanl CiblicU U lulCnuD'^l*. ciir; "
fniiUMl uu)«HiA(s it kSofde^ Fm faiUcc psiti'mUi* addtm IIm' L'k
H. MORTON. Holjolsan, N.
STEVENS HIGH SCHOOL.
THE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT I
— ftr ntt — i
STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,
SIVER STREET, bet. 3tk and 6th. HOBOKSN, N. J..
OPENS SEPTEMBER 17, -1884.
Exnmla«tlsaa foe Admlflelcn aa the ISLb ftni 16tb of SflpUmbb-
flNSTRUCTION SIVES IK THE ANCIEMT AND MODERN L4.NGUAGRS; IN FBE|
HAND AND MKHAHKAL DRAWING.
JUNIOR DEPARTMENT,
SENIOR DEPARTMENT,
seo.oo PER ANNUm.
8IG0.00 PER ANNWM.
iDDludv all Cl,« •,.
Tn CfttBiocuti &ppty u uis l,il}tftrua 01 suT«nt liuutut*'
^Uevefis JndiGafeSF.
HOBOKEN, N. J., NOVEMBER, 1884.
No. 8.
sphe Stseve^s FRdiQafeep.
i or EACH MONTH, DURrNfi THE COLLEGE YEXR.
^Ven^ Institute of Tec^Dologi].
Skfitn.
. . . C. R. COLLINS, 'M.
. E. P. MOWTOH, -U.
■ EDrnw,. . NORTH HcLBAN, -Sj.
i,etBl SBitors.
HSHRY ABBEY, 'ts.
ROBT. O. SMITH, -Ij. WALTER S. DIX, '87.
HUBERT 8. WYNKOOP, '8S.
• ft Vmt, I* Mmkc*. Single Copy. 20 Cent).
EMra cefits can bt oilaiiKti at Lulhin't book i,
I/^MMt, N.J.
St^nrHcrj vrii/ pltast immediately neli/y us of
tia—ge im iMr addreiut er failure to receive the fi
Tlu vrHtt't fuU »ame,asvieU ai his mom oe Pl.t
S-xt^aagti, cimttiiuliMtt, luitciipiiaits.advtrlittmeHll,
*mil all iitkrr commuMcalitHS by mail, thsuld be addrtsstd
If The Stevens Indicatob, SIcvem Initilule, Hobaken,
A'.y.
'* TPH'^'^^^'^l^^NG !■' and most of us
1 will take the few days given us, as a
matter of course, without giving one thought
2s to the sigoificance of the day. Why cannot
wc be thankful ? Have not we reason to be ?
Let us sum up a few thanJt/uls. To those who
go home, it means a grateful change of diet,
for Hoboken means Geraian (bad quality),
and Hoboken boarding house means no end
of mystery, the like of which has never been
lown to exist. Besides, we are thankful that
Faculty and ourselves are sii)! on speaking
that our prospects (or slaying are bright;
oar janitor has taken down the boarding
1; that we have a library of even
fcttnwi
questionable usefulness, and thankful to over-
flowing that we are not Preps.
To all of us the "days of grace" will be
a pleasant relaxation from the thoughts of tur-
bine, complications in mechanics, etc., etc.,
and the fact that we can talk United States for
three days at least ought to make us thankful.
Is it not truly a blessing to have even so brief
WE are sorry to part with our fellow edi-
tor, Mr. Ladd Plumley, who has been
called away from college since the organiza-
tion of the Board of Editors for this year. He
had just commenced his second tenn's work
on the Board when he was obliged to leave;
and the efficient service he rendered the paper
has left with us a pleasant remembrance of his
abilities. We wish him success in whatever
he undertakes, and hope to meet him again.
0UR foot ball season up to date has been,
to use the language of the chronic
growler, " a miserable failure." And why, we
ask. "The management is bad; one man
wants to run the whole association," and so
on ; these complaints are as varied as the dis-
satisfied has minutes to pour forth his griev-
ances. Now, friend growler, first remember
that from the builders of a steam engine down
to the less important item of running a team
formulis won't always fit, and it is necessary
frequently to use what is known as practical
experience.
A graduate of Stevens tried to design a
valve some time ago from formulae, which were
guaranteed not to fail, but his engine would
not run, and it was necessary to consult with
experienced engineers before he could make
any progress.
114
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
You growl at the inability of the directors
of the Athletic Association, and feel satisfied
that the correct way to bring them straight is
to censure, and, like the small boy, " if you
won't do my way, I won't play."
Messrs. Growler, you never played a game of
foot ball; all you do is to walk around the edge
of the field and theorize as to how and where
such and such a player should have been at a
critical moment in the game, and you invariably
prove (to yourself) that the player doesn't
know the game, and that some one else should
have been in the team in his stead. Satisfied
with this course of reasoning, you begin in
your head to remodel the whole team. You
construct probable curves and no end of im-
probable ideas, and now your ideal athletes
are ready. Fortunately the genii growler is
scarce in the Institute; but still he is there, and
we want to say to such that the proper way to
improve our efforts in athletics, in anything, is
to give it your hearty support.
If you think you have a good idea, give it to
those who can make use of it; don't hug it up
and suffocate it with unreasonable complain-
ings.
If every Stevens man would stand out and
support the officers of our associations, there
would be no lack of push and improvement.
IT would seem well to reiterate some of our
hints and suggestions of last year, not
only for the benefit of the new class, but for
a certain possible fact. There may be some
who have been nourishing up some cherished
plan, suggested by the wants of the students,
and who are only waiting to see that those
wants are still manifested. We doubt not that
these persons, on learning that we are really
in earnest, will immediately do for us that
which they propose for our benefit.
Of prime importance to the students is a
gymnasium. We have often lain awake at
night thinking of the grai ' possibility of
Stevens having an extension to one of the
wings of the building, the first floor of which
should be the finely equipped gymnasium,
which we have so long thought of. This could
also be used as a lecture hall, furnished with a
piano, where we could have meetings, where
our Glee Club could practice and give us the
benefit of that practice ; where, also, we could
have occasional lectures by noted men, for
the good of every one connected with the
College. Then, on the second floor, we would
have a library and quiet reading room, where
no loud talking would be allowed, and where
there would be every facility for getting at and
consulting valuable books of reference. Now
that the Treasurer's office has been moved
into the Institute building, we are deprived of
the reception room. Our different special
committees have no place to hold their meet-
ings, so that on this second floor we should
provide a reception room to fill the loss.
There, is that not a pleasant picture for
contemplation as we go on with our work this
year ? " Yes, but a useless dream," some one
replies. No, not so much of a dream, either,
for we are sure that the proposed extension is
but a matter of time in such a place as Stev-
ens. Neither is it useless to think of it, even
if only a dream ; there was an old proverb,
" Disappointment sinketh the heart of man,
but the renewal of hope giveth consolation ;"
especially the latter clause applying to our
case. And as to the renewal of the hope,
The Indicator will continue to renew it at
choice intervals. Students of Stevens, as you
come up the street past our handsome building,
and enter at the side door, just pause a mo-
ment outside and try to imagine how our pro-
posed extension would look, and throughout
the day try to appreciate how it would
fed !
We wish that the students would appropri-
ate our columns for discussions on these mat-
ters. Comment on our suggestions and tell
us what you think of the plan, and how it
could or ought to be brought about. It will
then go to prove to every one that the exten-
sion proposed is wished for and needed, not
by a few, but by every one at Stevens.
THE STEVENS, INDICATOR,
115
OUR CATALOGUE.
" My son, I did not know that you had been
dropped last year. I don't understand it at
all. Why, did you keep this from me ?"
** Why, father, I haven't been dropped. I
am still in the same class." " My dear boy,
do not add a lie to your other faults ; if you
have done wrong, there is lime to rectify your
mistake, for you are yet young ; but do not
cover up your misdeeds by lying."
" If you will only listen a moment to reason,
I will explain : it's all a mistake; I havetCt been
dropped at all. Where did you get your in-
formation from ? Oh, our catalogue ! Why,
didn't you know that the annual catalogue is
always printed that way ? Just about the time
when a student gets to be a Sophomore he is
printed as a Freshman, causing, as you see,
frequent errors. There, as you perceive, I have
explained how it is that you thought me still
a Freshman. I'll tell you a funny story about
the way that catalogue was used to convince
the captain of an opposing team of foot ball
players that a disputed man was really a
Freshman. You see, he complained that one
of our men was a Soph. * Oh, no !' said we,
*he is listed in the annual catalogue as a
Freshie, and we guess the Faculty know what
they are about, and knows who's who.' You
see he could not go behind that, and therefore
we had him."
On Time.
-•-♦■
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY OF
LITERATURE.
That there should exist in the mind of one
who seeks a high place in this world the be-
lief, or rather the idea, that there is little
profit in the study of Literature, is in itself an
astonishing thing. That one who is striving
to reach that high position by first securing
the strong foundation of a good education
should have the least doubt of that study's
importance, is lamentable. Why is it an im-
portant thing not to neglect the study of liter-
ature? To this question let us now devote
ourselves.
The literature of a nation is the speaking
record of the people's life. It is not mere
history, which lays down bare facts and occur-
rences ; it is the living voice of a people who
have lived, thought, and spoken in this same
world, and who have had that very experience
which we must all go through as we live. Men
who succeeded or failed, and have passed away
into the same end — eternity — have left here
on earth a complete representation of the souls,
the bodies, even the dresses and surroundings,
of those who lived with them. They have
so written it down, that we seem to hear and
see and feel a living people, both wise and
foolish, gay and sad, fortunate and unfor-
tunate. Every one esteems it a happy lot to
become acquainted with a great man, to con-
verse with him, and learn his ideas. But it is
the privilege of the student of literature to be
brought face to face with many great men, to
have opened to him their whole hearts and
minds, and he is profited thereby a thousand
times. To succeed in human affairs, it is neces-
sary to know human life. How can this be done
better than by looking at the past? — not by
simply reading what man has done, but by
going back and personally observing what he
thought when he did it, and what others
thought while it was being done. The soul of
man needs sympathy. It would be impossible
for one, isolated from the thoughts and opin-
ions of others, and ignorant of the customs and
needs of humanity, to accomplish anything that
would make his life a success and give his
name to the age in which he lived.
It is presupposed that the study of liter-
ature is of prime importance to one who in-
tends to lead a literary life. Though not
quite, perhaps, so important to the scientific
student, its omission is not for one moment to
be thought of. First, we may need to write ;
indeed, if we attain any prominence in science,
it is necessary that we should give our thoughts
on paper for the benefit of those around us,
and those who shall come after. Grammar,
rhetoric, and logic are not sufficient for this.
We too often hear it said that scientific men
cannot describe, to the satisfaction of their
readers, their own researches and inventions.
By seeing how others before us have written
and expressed their ideas, we may learn how
to shape our thoughts into presentable form.
When Stevenson invented his locomotive, he
did nc^t create it out of his own mind; he took
Watt's principle of the double acting engine,
Blackett and Medley's smooth driving wheels,
Seguin's tubular boiler, and so made his
" Rocket," the parent of our present locomo-
tives. So it was with Shakespeare: he pre-
sented his own original conceptions, but in
the form by which many others had profited.
We thus learn to write in an easy way, — easy
both for us to compose and for others to read.
ii6
THE S TE VENS INDICA TOR.
In our later years literature will be a great
source of pleasure to us. In conversation,
one who is able, unassumingly, to quote liber-
ally from literary sources, proves himself in-
variably a most interesting and agreeable
companion. When thoroughly conversant
with literature, he can, when talking to those
of limited literary knowledge, adapt himself
to their attainments and express his opinion
equally well on whatever authors they may
have studied. Then, too, most of us hope,
when our hard work has merited our taking
the time, to enjoy ourselves by reading. Here
it is that a knowledge of literature points out
to us the best paths to pursue ; for, having
travelled the highways of literature, we are
-privileged to stroll along the by-ways, where
are to be found hidden wild flowers, rather
than the more showy flowers of general culti-
vation. So, having dwelt upon the greater
writers, we learn to read those of lesser fame
and weaker force, how to pick out their de-
fects, and where to find their special beauties.
But some may wish to devote their reading
hours to a particular branch ; one of us, for
instance, desiring to follow writers on some
particular science. In such a case it is still
an advantage to have studied the standard
authors on all other subjects ; it helps us, by
comparison, to appreciate our chosen authors
and their themes. This does not mean that
we thus depreciate any of the others, but that
we learn the distinguishing features of those
which we have selected, and the position
which they occupy in the great whole. In
here we might bring the saying, "One can-
not appreciate home until he has travelled
abroad."
In studying the subject of literature in
college, it is not expected that it should be
learned by heart, as if it were a book of rules.
We are not to memorize what is contained in
a given text book, but to become familiar with
its contents. To know the history of a na-
tion's literature, remember the names and
position of the representative authors, the
particular events of their lives, their chief
productions and their effect on the language ;
to do this is the principal labor connected
with the study. The minor writers seem to
collect themselves around these great lights,
and, with little effort, these also can be re-
membered and rightly placed with their re-
spective writings. That which we thus learn
in college gives us an idea how to take up the
study, in a more extended way, at some future
time. It suggests to us the works which it is
beneficial for us to read, as we get spare
hours ; it also shows us, by the various suc-
cesses and failures of the different ones about
whom we learn, that we must, if we wish to
attain any literary fame, work, as in everything
else, persistently and with our eyes wide open.
Compositions are excellent in connection with
the study of literature in college. The sub-
jects, however, should not be on anything
outside or in advance of what has so far been
studied ; they should be calculated to draw
out the thoughts of the student himself on the
ground gone over, rather than be a mere
summary of lectures or readings.
Those who arranged the course of study in
Stevens, wisely saw the impostant place liter-
ature holds, and so gave an entire year for its
study. This length of time is absolutely
necessary in order to obtain good results, for
it is not a subject which can be hurried over,
so many pages at a time. There has been
some hard feeling against the study formerly,
because it was presented in so unpalatable
form, in the text book then used, " Shaw's
Complete Manual," which, though in itself a
masterly work, is too "complete" for our
purposes. It goes too far into detail for a
general study, and carries on some discussions
until they become tedious from their very
length. The paper, also, and especially the
print, is very trying to the eyes. All, how-
ever, has this year been rectified ; the use
as a text book of " Shaw's New History " is
an established success. The book contains,
by a rough calculation, a little over one hun-
dred thousand words less than the " Manual,"
and with the new type and arrangements of
chapters and headings, makes an attractive
and desirable volume. It is really a pleasure
to read it, and therefore can hardly be much
of a task to learn its substance.
We conclude, therefore, that it is of im-
mense importance for us to study English
literature, and nothing short of extreme folly
would remove it from the curriculum of
Stevens Institute, or encroach upon the time
given for it.
Albitan.
< # » »
MY INVENTION.
Ever since electricity became an important
branch of science I have had a great fondness
for it ; and lately an experience which I had
with this subtile force caused me to become
forcibly convinced of the truth of the state-
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
117
ment that fortune does not favor inventors.
I have spent many of my leisure 'hours for
the last eight months trying to devise some
way of preventing the frequent burglaries in
these New Jersey villages, and the other day
success seemed to have crowned my labor.
From the very first I worked upon the prin-
ciple that what was needed was a preventive,
not a cure ; and it was in accordance with
this belief that my final inspiration was
brought about. I was reading the paper one
morning, when my eye was attracted by a
notice of an accident the day before. It
seemed that a broken electric lighting wire lay
on the pavement in the Bowery, and that a
horse, in passing, happened to touch both
ends at once. He was instantly thrown and
seriously lamed. This was the spark in the
powder. Seizing a sheet of paper, I rapidly
sketched out a diagram of my invention. My
conclusions were quickly reached. If I
bought a small dynamo, run by a gas engine,
and laid a circuit of uncovered insulated
metallic strips around each window casing, no
one would be able . to enter there ; but when
I thought of the doors I was at first puzzled.
However, I finally decided to place a metallic
mat in front of the doors, and make the
other wire to connect with the door knob.
At the first opportunity I took a vacation
of three days, and remained at home arranging
my circuits. At the end of that time I was
ready; all that could be desired was a burglar
to experiment on. Feeling secure, I grew
careless. My watchman was discontinued ; I
neglected to repair a broken catch on the din-
ing room window.
It was fully a week before I had any chance
to test my " Electric Burglar Proof Attach-
ment for Dwellings," but when the chance
came, it came in a manner I had not dreamed
of. It so happened that about ten days after
I first started my dynamo I had occasion to
remain late in New York, possibly all night.
So that morning I took my wife down stairs
and explained to her how to start the gas en-
gine, and told her to be sure to have every-
thing as she wished it to remain during the
night before starting the dynamo. Finding
my business not so urgent as I had expected,
in the course of the day I sent the following
telegram to my wife :
•• Will be home to-night, late.— L. S. M."
According to custom, she would understand
this message to mean that she should leave
the front door unlocked ; but I had not
implied enough, as you shall hear presently.
The 1 1. 10 express had left me at the station.
There was no moon, and the air was chilly
with autumn. The house was cold and dark,
and as I walked up the steps my thoughts
were far from my invention. I stepped for-
ward and stood upon the mat, searching in my
pocket for the key. Then, leaning forward, I
put the key in the lock and touched the knob
with the other hand. Without stopping to
turn the knob, I retreated, took a flying leap
down the steps, and almost broke myself in
two over a flower urn. I was almost paralyzed;
otherwise I should not have remained on the
damp grass as long as I did.
In my extremity I bethought me of the
dining room window, which was unlocked.
I persuaded myself that with a little care I
could enter that way. Cautiously I drew my-
self up to the level of the window and raised
it. But here came a difficulty — I could not
possibly get in without touching one of the
strips. Would that be safe ? Hastily recalling
my somewhat limited knowledge of electricity
to my aid, I considered it sate to make the
attempt. I may state here that I am in the
habit of wearing a watch chain passing around
my neck ; in the course of my exertions this
had slipped up until it lay upon my bare neck.
Is it any wonder, therefore, that in my great
care lest my body should touch the other
strip, I should forget my watch chain ? It is
needless after this hint to say that I fell out
of that window with a large initial velocity,
plus the acceleration due to gravity. The
potential energy manifested itself in the form
of heat and light, and the earth acting in a
line directly opposite to my fall, produced an
equilibrium so stable that I made no attempt
to rise for a considerable length of time. Now,
although some of your professors may doubt
this statement, I solemnly affirm that two
forces acting at the same time in directly op-
posite directions may produce rotary motion —
of the head. I heard one of the Stevens boys
make such an assertion once, but I did not
believe it until this event which I am relating
took place.
I now proceeded to wake my wife, and in
a short time I heard a window raised, and she
stood in full relief against a black background.
In her hand was my old navy revolver. With-
out making any attempt to ascertain who was
below, she calmly set about cocking the
weapon. The rusty spring proved too power-
ful for her one hand, so she grasped the barrel
firmly in both hands, catching the hammer in
the moulding of the window, and drew the ^^-
ii8
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
volver toward her. When this, for her, extraor-
dinary feat was accomplished, she turned the
muzzle in my direction and proceeded to take
aim. As she did this she leaned forward in
her eagerness, at the same time resting her left
hand upon the window sill, in contact with
the inner strip of the " E. B. P. A. for D."
arrangement. At that moment the ridiculous-
ness of the situation flashed upon me. Here
I was, kept from my own house by my own
contrivance, and mistaken by my own wife for
a burglar. I began to laugh, as well I might,
for the revolver pointed at me had not been
loaded in four years, to my certain knowledge,
and, furthermore, I knew that the new system
was giving complete satisfaction. Finding
that the weight of the revolver made her hand
unsteady, my wife rested her wrist against the
side of the window. Immediately there was
a strange sound, and the figure at the window
disappeared, while the revolver rattled on the
tin roof below.
Finally I persuaded my wife to stop the
dynamo and let me in ; whereupon I went to
bed. I remained in bed all the next day,
sending word to inquiring friends that I had
an attack of rheumatism, in consequence of
exposure to the night air. I felt ashamed to
tell them that I was suffering from too much
electricity.
Notwithstanding the severe tests to which
my invention was subjected on that eventful
night, I consider the system to have fully
demonstrated its usefulness. The effects of
fear upon the members of the household are
marked. The servant shudders with super-
stitious awe as she goes to open the door, and
the cat has forsaken his accustomed perch on
the window ledge, while my wife and I are
in continual dread lest one should make
known the other's part in the farce. If out-
side parties can be made to share the dread
which has taken possession of oiir family, we
will no longer be disturbed by any nocturnal
visitations. C.
EDUCATIONAL REFORMS AND
COLLEGE STUDIES.
[Alpha Delta Phi Star and Crescent for May. — Abridged.]
Conceding all that may be claimed for the
American college in the past, there is a grow-
ing conviction that the time has come in the
development of the country, when the college
must move forward by admitting important
reforms; that it must broaden its curriculum;
relax its traditional rigidity and surveillance;
take on a temper and life more modem and
scientific, less archaic and classical; that it
must carry its students farther on in their
chosen departments, and in all its work it
must have constant reference to utility and the
practical needs of the world's life.
The college of to-day is in a transition
state. It is neither a grammar school nor a
university. It occupies a position between
the gymnasium and the University of Ger-
many, combining qualities of both. For sev-
eral decades there has been an expansion of
the curriculum; the requirements for admission
have been increased; the course of study de-
mands more maturity of mind, and the aver-
age age of students is higher than formerly.
In former years, when the curriculum was
simpler, boys entered college at fourteen and
graduated at eighteen, so that at the age of
twenty-two or twenty-three they had a fair
start in their life work; whereas under the pres-
ent requirements a college man who takes a
course in the professional school reaches his
first remunerative work at twenty-seven or
twenty-eight, at least six years later than he
who enters the professions without the de-
lay of the college, and ten years later than
the young men who enter the non-professional
industries of life. Artisans, machinists, agri-
culturists, merchants and manufacturers have
already given ten of their best years to I heir
life work before the college man has ventured
from his cloister upon the activities of the
world.
It should be kept in mind that our college
system is a heritage from the sixteenth century.
It came down to us from what is known as the
Humanistic education, which the Renaissance
gave to England and Europe after the Re-
formation, and which still has control of the
public schools, the gymnasia, and most of the
universities of the old world.
The groundwork of the Humanistic system
is language. I^atin was the substratum and
the classic the substance of all culture. The
curriculum was exceedingly narrow. A little
logic and rhetoric were taught; the sciences
were as yet unborn.
It was a real revolution at Rugby, and al-
most kindled a rebellion when Arnold, as late
as 1830, introduced the modem learning.
When Stanley was a pupil at that celebrated
school, he wrote: " Dr. Arnold has reformed
the school in every way; he has introduced
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
119
history, mathematics, modem languages, ex-
aminations and prizes/'
When Harvard and Yale were founded,
there was reason in the respect shown to the
da^cs, for it was a system fitted to the times.
Latin was then the learned language and
vehicle of highest thought and knowledge.
But all this has since changed. The clas-
sical curriculum is part of an order of things,
which in other departments of thought has
long since passed away. French, and more
recently German, have won the place once
held by Latin, and English is destined to
supersede them both. We are in a different
world to-day. The ancient world is going
farther and farther from us, while the world of
to-day, through the wonders of electricity and
steam, is gathered about our very door.
It is the knowledge and mastery of this
present world, and the times in which we
live, that is indispensable to the leaders of
the thought and activities of to-day.
It is not, therefore, to be wondered at
that a spirit of restlessness has got hold of
our colleges, and that several of those in
the first rank are feeling their way toward
important changes in their methods and
studies.
There is a movement in favor of making
science the basis of a liberal education instead
of the classics, of giving more place to social
institutions and forces, and of remodelling the
curriculum so that the students may have
specific references to their life work through
the entire course. The movement includes,
of course, the system of college electives, in
which Harvard led off.
A conspicuous defect in the old system was
its failure to recognize individual tastes and
aptitudes. The curriculum was a procrustean
bed to whose pattern all were stretched. In-
dividuality of character was sacrificed to that
k^i fatuus called mental discipline, as
though any genuine study was not mental
discipline. A fixed curriculum is well enough
in the lower schools, where mental training is
sought rather than information, but to continue
it with students who have reached manhood
and womanhood is like stopping soldiers in
the conflict of battle in order to teach them
the technicalities of military drill.
When individuality of character is sacrificed
we are fighting against nature and sealing up
the sources of power.
It is claimed by the friends of the new
order that in the abundance of the studies
crowded upon the student in these times, it
is the sheerest assumption to say that any
particular study is indispensable to mental
discipline, or that any study should be pur-
sued with exclusive reference to mental dis-
cipline.
They claim for the sciences that the mastery
of one or two departments of natural science
would discipline nearly every faculty of the
mind, the memory, observation, the judgment,
the logical faculty, the powers of analysis and
classification ; and that if to these be added
modern languages, social and political sci-
ence, literature and philosophy, there would
be no occasion for devoting the labor of
eight or ten years to the languages of an-
tiquity.
(71? be continued.)
< # » »-
THE BRITISH RULE IN INDIA.
In 1593, as history relates, an English mer-
chant landed on the western coast of India.
He had been told in a dream that, within three
centuries, his countrymen would become pos-
sessed of a territory equal to the continent of
Europe, Russia excepted. He regarded this
dream as the result of a disordered imagina-
tion. Nearly three centuries from that time
the Queen of England was crowned Empress
of India, and the dream was proved to be a
prophecy.
British rule in India has been characterized
by incompetency, cruelty, dishonesty, treach-
ery, fraud. It is one of the foulest blots on
the pages of English history. As in more re-
cent cases of unjustifiable oppression, it was
the domineering commercial policy of Great
Britain — the notion that where Englishmen
could gain wealth England had the power to
rule — that paved the way to the subjugation
of the unhappy Hindoos. In the last year of
the sixteenth century the East India Company
obtained a charter from the crown permitting,
and, in fact, authorizing it to control the com-
merce of the Indian Ocean. By this charter
power was given to license private traders, to
punish infractions of the company's laws, and
to govern the whole great region specified in
the grant.
The company went to work as a trading
corporation. There was a governor and a
corps of clerks, but no military organization.
It was not until after sixty years that the idea
occurred to subdue India and add it to the
British possessions. Ill order to carry out
this plan, soldiers were necessary. A smal'
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
number of troops were loaned by the govern-
ment and sent over from England. It was
some time before the company made use of
the sepoys or native soldiers. For almost 150
years there was an unbroken succession of
petty quarrels, mutinies and massacres. The
ambition of Clive and the avarice of Hastings
are examples of the motives that for a century
dictated the policy of the company's govern-
ors. The policy of Che proprietors in Lon-
don can be stated in one word^dividends.
Of what concern was it to the gouty capitalist
who heard the sovereigns jingle in his coffers,
that ten thousand starving, half-c!ad natives
had surrendered those sovereigns only with
their lives ? His longing for the plunder was
not lessened. The governor general must
furnish the funds. He singles out some rich
prince and boldly demands a tribute. If this
is not paid, the doomed rajah soon finds him-
self involved in difficulties. A war arises, and
the craft and might of the Englishmen are
triumphant. The unhappy ruler loses his
treasure and his throne, and the British flag
floats over one more conquered state.
As is always the ca^e when unscrupulous
men are given unrestrained authority over
other men not as powerful as they, so these
acts of oppression grew more and more fla-
grant, until at last the English were aroused,
and this form of government was abolished.
At the present day everything is changed.
The governor general is appointed by the
Queen, and each residency has its own gov-
ernor. The administration of the province is
now well conducted. Under a humane sys-
tem of government the Hindoos are becoming
reconciled to British rule.
Thus has England in the latter part of the
nineteenth century brought into subjection
the vast and rich territory which had for two
hundred and fifty years been a source of
anxiety and expense. Long since did she
bow her head in shame at those disgraceful
proceedings, and then repentant, lifted it again
to atone as far as possible for her former re-
missness. C,
MEETING OF AMERICAN SOCIETY OF
MECHANICAL ENGINEERS.
The fifth annual mcelini; .if the sucitty was
held in New Vork, November 5, 6 and 7. The
society met in the hall of the New York Acad-
emy of Medicine, la West 31st Street. The
opening session took place on Wednesday.
November g, at 8 p. m., at which the president
delivered an address, which was followed by
a supper and social reunion. Thursday, at
10 a. m., the executive session opened, when
the committees reported and general business
was transacted, after which professional papers
were read and discussed. The afternoon was
taken up with further reading of papers, among
which was one by Prof. R. H. Thurston, " On
Sliding Friction of Rotation;" another by
Wm. Kent, on " Factors of Evaporation for
Use in Boiler Tests ; " and another by F, W.
Hatsey, on "A New Rock Drill." Friday, the
last day of the convention, was occupied in
an excursion to Pateison, N. J., by special
train furnished by the D.. L. & W. R.R,
The chief points of interest visited were
the Passaic Rolling Mills, the various locomo-
tive works of Rogers, Grant, and Cooke, and
the silk mills. Returning in the afternoon to
New York, tlje society was invited, through
the courtesy of the trustees and faculty, to
visit our institute. The shop and labora-
tories were lighted with the usual electric
lamps, and the visit made as enjoyable as pos-
sible. Stevens was well known to them all
by reputation, but many of the society had
never before looked through our well equipped
college under such a favorable opportunity,
and many were the laudatory comments made
upon its efficient management.
Mr. Holloway, of Cleveland, O., was unan-
imously elected president for 1885-6, Among
the members of eminence present were Messrs,
C. W. Copeland, C. Sellers. Henry R. Towne,
W. L. Church, Wm. Hewitt and Wm. H.
Wiley.
In the year 1400, Joseph Cook says, the
population of this country will be 3,200,000,000,
Those of our readers who contemplate going
to the circus that year will do well to purchase
tickets at the down town office and avoid the
rush at the wagon. — Burlington Haivkeye,
The Amherst Student says : " Last Monday
night occurred the first rush of the season, and
for the first time in the history of the college
there could be no doubt as to the result, .\fter
a well contested rush the class of '49 bore
away the cane." The joke lies in ihe fact
that President Seelye forced his way into the
struggling mass of student flesh and walked
off with the cane.— 7»* Lafayette.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
12!
TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
Technical education in the United States
has improved appreciably in the last ten or
fifteen years, not on account of any substan-
tial aid from the government, but from the
exertions of private citizens and corporations
entirely. It is a subject which should receive
more attention from Congress, for this country
stands alone almost among the nations as the
one which pays the least heed to this all im-
portant topic. If the same thoroughness and
supervision were exercised in this country as
in foreign countries for the education of
young men in a line which would make them
useful citizens, there would be less heard of
the miseries of the people of our great cities.
Mr. Edward T. Steel, of Philadelphia, has
recently returned to this country after a care-
ful inspection of the industrial schools in Eu-
rope. His visit was made for the purpose of
studying the methods of instruction in foreign
countries, with the view of adopting some of the
ideas for the establishment of schools in the
United States. He was very much impressed
with the remarkable care manifested by the
stronger governments for the education of the
people, the earnestness evinced by the people
in securing the benefits of instruction, and
the thoroughness with which the work is done,
and the excellent results obtained. In Ger-
many the people are compelled to finish a
course which in this country would prepare
them for what we call a "higher education."
These extracts from his report will be found
quite interesting.
TECHNOLOGY IN ENGLAND.
" England in the last twelve years has devoted her
energies very largely to the public school question. But
within a recent period she has in addition given her at-
tention to manual education, then artistic instruction,
and more lately to technology. But in fact all through
Germany, England, France, Belgium, Switzerland and
Holland there has been great work done for industrial
schools. The governments of these countries have re-
garded these schools as an essential thing. With them
industrial education is no longer an experiment, a plan,
a theory. It is an established practical reality. The
result has been most beneficial. In England the ten-
dency has been principally to instruct in the use of
tools, or to teach mere manual acquirements. In Ger-
many it has been both manual and technical. First,
general instruction would be given, then it would be
specialized."
The schools in Germany were first under the
direction of individuals, but now nearly all are
'>tate institutions. The pupils pay but a nom-
inal fee for tuition, and are exempt from all
fees if unable to pay them.
•* The German towns have schools of technology, as
well as the cities. Certain towns have certain indus-
tries peculiar to their own localities. The schools in
those towns will make features of those industries in its
curriculum. In the cities the course of study will be
broad and comprehensive. Drawing is everywhere con-
sidered the basis of an industrial training. It is the
very alphabet, they say, of a technical education.
Among the largest institutions is that at Munich,
founded privately in 1868, now a public school. There
the instruction is chiefly in ceramics and designing tex-
tiles. Workmen go out from this school to large busi*
ness houses, and the head positions in factories, and
meet with wonderful success. At Nuremburg, Dresden,
Berlin and Vienna there are well equipped state schools,
giving training in the use of tools, ihe trades, and in
the higher industrial arts. The boys and girls like
their work, and those who were once in the schools, but
are now out, are doing well."
The following account of the schools in
Paris will attract particular interest, and goes
to show too plainly how neglectful our govern-
ment is in providing schools for the benefit of
the people.
THE SCHOOLS OF PARIS.
** In Paris there have been established under the
present republican government sixty primary schools in
which manual instruction is given. These have made
such a demand for higher technical education that the
applicants cannot be accommodated. The government
intends to meet this demand by buildinfj more schools.
In the * Ecole Rue Tournefort,' which I visited, I saw
boys between the years of six and ten learning the use
of all kinds of tools and working most intelligently from
their drawings. Boys ten and eleven years old were
busy at drawing, modelling in clay, carving in wood,
and at joiners' and smiths' work. Others, twelve years
of age. were engaged in special branches, each boy pur-
suing that for which he had a special bent of genius.
The school on the Boulevard de la Villette is a similar
institution. In each one there are several hundred
pupils. There are many other schools in Paris and
other parts of France, and the instruction given com-
prises all branches."
England is not far behind Germany and
France in her system of industrial education.
Schools have been established in London,
Manchester and all the principal factory towns,
and the good results of this work are every-
where apparent.
*' There can be no doubt but that the United States
ought to learn from the experiments of the European
governments. If we had a system of industrial schools
here such as there is abroad, the result would be most
surprisingly a benefit to us. It would be a fundamental
protection to American industry and would mark a new
epoch in our national progress."
122
THE S TE VENS INDICA TOR.
^e^BS fpem bhe PRSFESSrSI^.
The American Engineer^ in a recent edition,
criticises Mr. Edison's intention to supplant
the steam engine by electricity. It seems that
Mr. Edison hopes to devote five years to the
perfection of his plans, the main point of
which is, of course, to obtain the desired elec-
tricity directly from the combustion of coal,
instead of employing as intervening mediums
the heat of the coal and the steam engine.
This problem, which is the desideratum of all
electrical engineers, is hardly one which can
be solved within so short a period as ^\^
years. The solution is rather the work of a
lifetime, and when satisfactorily developed
would prove the greatest discovery in the
world's progress. In very few good steam
plants does the steam engine give out avail-
ble energy less than lo per cent, of the total
energy df the fuel. Those now employed for
furnishing power for the Edison dynamos,
give out as high as 15 per cent, of all the en-
ergy, thus showing that in the best steam
engines we get out of coal about one-tenth of
what we ought to get. Now, in order to
lessen to any considerable degree this immense
loss, some method besides that now employed
must soon be discovered, and it has been con-
ceded that the plan which Mr. Edison pur-
poses to investigate is the best which has
been proposed. Even should he be able to ac-
complish, in the stated time, anything which
can be turned into practical use, will the
machine so constructed develop a sufficient
amount of energy over that now obtained from
steam to insure its success in an economical
point of view ?
The Electrical Engineer in its review of
the Electrical Exhibition at Philadelphia
which closed October 11, among other in-
teresting matter makes the important state-
ment in regard to the comparative practi-
cability of arc lighting and incandescent
lighting, that " to an observer attempting to
forecast the direction of the future develop
ment of electric lighting, the early decadence
of the arc system of lighting is most clearly
apparent." In regard to the subject of electric
motors, which were given a prominent posi-
tion at the exhibition, the Review further
states : " It is much to be regretted that there
was so little evidence to be found in the ex-
hibition of any essential progress in a field
which affords scope for a wider practical util-
ity than even that of electric illumination —
the employment of electricity for transmission
of energy. * * * power looms^ power plan-
ers, printing presses and rotary pumps were
driven by electric motors. Yet we did not
observe any attempt to transmit more than
five or six horse power at the most, which is
hardly a step in advance of what was shown
by Gramme at the Paris exhibition of 1878."
Among the large contracts recently finished
and those in progress of construction are noted
the following, which are interesting as depart-
ures from the ordinary work of the engineer.
The tunnel under the Severn, begun in 1873, is
about completed. The total length is seven
and a half miles, four and a third miles of the
tunnel being under the Severn. The great
bridge over the Forth, which is still unfinished,
will cost when completed ^^i, 600,000. A bridge
to connect Cronstadt and Tamenlaume, in
Russia, is to be built. The bridge will be
about five and a half miles long, its estimated
cost being ;^2, 400,000.
The only railroad in the United States
which has been equipped throughout its entire
length with automatic electro block signals is
the Providence & Worcester. The work
has been done by the Union Switch and Sig-
nal Co., of Pittsburgh, Pa., the characteristic
feature of which is the maintenance of a con-
tinuous electric circuit through the rails of
the track, from one end of each block section
to the other. When a rail is displaced or the
circuit broken in any way, the signal arm
shows " danger," and, also, when a train is in
the block the " danger" signal shows, caused
by the train shunting the electric current from
the electro-magnet.
The new Cunarder, " Umbria," launched
last June, has made h^r first trip across the
Atlantic, and made very satisfactory time con-
sidering it was her first voyage. The Iron
Age gives the following interesting description
of the new steamer. The trial trip of the
" Umbria " took place on the Clyde, October
4, the vessel steaming thirty miles at a speed
of twenty-one nautical miles an hour. She is
the largest vessel afloat with the exception of
the Great Eastern. Her dimensions are 520
ft. long, 57 ft. 3 in. breadth of beam, and 41
ft. depth of hold, and measures over 8,000
tons. The " Umbria " was built at Fairfield-
on-Clyde, at Elders' yard, where most of the
fast steamers have been built. The electric
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
123
light is used. The saloon measures 79 ft. in
length, the steamer accommodating 720 first
class passengers. The engines of this magnifi-
cent work of marine architecture are said to be
the most powerful in the world. The centre high
pressure cylinder is 71 inches diameter, and
the two low pressure cylinders are each 105
in. diameter, with a 6 ft. stroke. The screw
is made of manganese bronze. The quality
of manganese bronze, combined with the de-
velopment in practice of the true proportion
of the screw propeller, are computed to add
upward of a knot an hour to the performance
of the old fashioned cast iron blades. The
vessel is fitted for the Admiralty service, and
can carry coal for 16 days when running con-
tinually at a speed of 18 knots per hour.
Speaking of the utility of storage batteries
for practical purposes, Mr. Edison says that
he has spared neither time nor money in the
effort to perfect a battery that can be of prac-
tical use, but without success ; and that the
storage battery can never be used to any ex-
tent except for scientific purposes.
< ♦ » »
sspyBFr^6 Bex.
The forgings for the Eccentric and Bolt are
under way.
Has anybody ever seen the Stevens Insti-
tute library — in operation ?
W. S. Dix, '87, has been elected editor for
The Indicator, in place of Ladd Plumley,
resigned.
And we still continue to be unarrested for
"illegal voting" (just think) and "perjury."
(What a merciful deliverance.)
" Professor" — this is a Junior speaking — ** as
I understand it, you say the body has no
weight. Well, then, it seems to me you ought
to take gravity into account."
The reception room is now a thing of the
past, and we may expect to see the tables in
the hbrary well filled with Sophomores and
Freshmen. These are the only seats left now
for the students.
The prudent and conscientious man re-
frained all election week from celebrating^ for
lear that in his efforts to " toot " for the can-
didate of his choice he might be celebrating
for the other fellow's.
'86 ! The Indicator is just to all, and we
have ascertained, not without some effort, that
'85 paid for the watermelon they took from
you, in preference to spending the night in a
latticed room at the lower end of town.
The treasurer's office, being located in the
Institute building, will probably insure the
more prompt payment of bills. It generally
took weeks to arrive at the proper humor to
climb up to the H. L. and I. Co.'s office.
The men who voted Nov. 4 had no difficulty
whatever. The ** bluffing " programme of the
Democrats was ably carried out by themselves,
but it did not hinder some twenty or thirty of
the students, Republicans and Democrats, from
voting.
Some of the classes still exhibit that spirit
of recklessness for the feelings of others, which
was supposed to have been left behind in the
Prep.-ery. The Sophomores make enough
noise in the halls of the Institute to cause even
Preps, to blush with shame.
The foot ball suits this year are more ser-
viceable than the fancy uniform bought last
year ; and, right here, we don't understand
why the Athletic Association are so reckless
with the clothes belonging to the teams. We see
men playing foot ball in last year's base ball
suits. Is this right ?
Through the kindness of the Committee of
Arrangements of Columbia College, who pre-
sented us with tickets, about forty of the
students went to the Blaine meeting at the
Academy, held under the auspices of the Col-
umbia Republicans. The speakers were all
prominent men, the meeting being a highly in-
teresting one.
An individual writes to Prof. Morton to
know if he cannot borrow "those lanterns"
the students used for a Democratic parade ?
Well, now, the man is entirely too backward
and retiring. Why not ask for the fellows,
too; probably they are better looking than
his own crowd. Political license, some say ;
we say political cheek.
The game at Princeton was not as satisfac-
tory as our games away from home generally
are. The score was 56 to o in favor of Prince-
ton. The Princeton team played hard to win
22 of the 56 points, and. the referee, a Prince-
124
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
ton man, to be sure, for they were not going
to run the risk of another small score going to
Yale, supplied the remainder, and then looked
dissatisfied to think he hadn't done better.
Translated from the German, as a specimen
of the kind of jokes they like in the Father-
land :
Little Fritz : ** O, pap, may I for me not
from thy beard a pair of locks off cut ? "
Father: "What wilt thou therewith my
child ? "
Little Fritz : " My rabbit mend from whom
has the Emma the tail out snatched."
'88 deserve a great deal of praise for the
interest that has been shown for foot ball in
their class. At the practice games at the
grounds there have been as many Fresh-
men as any other class playing against the
team, and all doing well. Neither '86 nor '87
did as well in their Freshmen year, and if the
lower class this year will only work on, the
prospects for next year's college team will be
brighter.
A young man, apparently a stranger, asks a .
Freshman, at work in the drawing room, if a
certain professor is in the building. Fresh-
man says, " he doesn't know, but can tell him
where his office is," and just commences to
tell him how many flights of stairs to descend,
where to turn and where not to turn, besides
expatiating upon the subject of the intricacies
of the building in general, when he is inter-
rupted with : Oh, never mind all that ; I
graduated here in '79."
Maury, '84, has left Prof. Thurston and in-
tends going to Texas, where he expects to en-
gage in copper mining. Gen. McClellan is
largely interested in the project, and through
him Maury has been able to secure a very good
position. His outfit when he left Hoboken
consisted chiefly of a Winchester repeater and
a couple of seven shooters ; whether he expects
to mine with these instruments or not we are
unable to say, only we hope he will strike a
rich vein, no matter whether with repeater or
pick.
Those who growl about the results in foot
ball are generally fellows who are not able to
play, and are therefore not capable of judg-
ing fairly. It is a difficult thing to arrange
a team and so manage your own duties at the
Institute as not to fall behind in your work.
If the growlers would exercise their self con-
scious ability to run a foot ball team success-
fully in climbing up on a box and ventilating
themselves as to their method of running an
eleven, it undoubtedly v/ould be more to the
purpose. Help the teams ! Don't hinder
them !
The Republican Club of the Institute turned
out for the last time in the campaign in the
large parade in New York, Oct. 31. Through
the kindness of Mr. Edison the club held
fourth position in the line. The arrangements
were that the club should march with Mr.
Edison's command ; but when they reached
New York, it was only to find that the insur-
ance men had crowded everything else out of
Edison's lines. The storage batteries which
the club proposed to carry could not be used,
the necessary shaking of the cells in marching
rendering the scheme impracticable. Although
without any lights, the fellows did well enough
to occasion considerable applause. The idea
of carrying hammers was a good one, and
made an attractive novelty. After passing Mr.
Blaine, who gracefully acknowledged the
head splitting yells fired at him, the club took
up a position along Fifth Avenue and cheered
one continuous cheer until after twelve o'clock.
There were ninety men in line, making five
companies, with the following officers : Major
B. T. Hart, '87; aides, C. J. Field, *^(i\ C. R.
Collins, '86 ; Captains, E. Munkwitz, '85; W.
A. Adriance, '85; W. R. King, 'U\ C. A.
Healey, Zd.
4-^ » »
flSF^UElIGS.
WESLEY AN VS. STEVENS — OCT. 25, AT MIDDLE-
TOWN, CONN.
Besides the disadvantage of playing on
strange grounds — grounds so peculiar that a
thorough acquaintance with them was almost
a necessity — our team was weakened by the
absence of Campbell: Cotiart, Brownell, Hart,
Dil worth, McCoy, Burhorn and Greenebaum
playing in the rush line ; Munkwitz, quarter
back ; Baldwin and Kletzsch, half backs, and
Adriance,"full back. Wesleyan's players were:
Rushers, Thompson, Hamlin, Blaine, Suther-
land, Pike, Hawkins and Wilcox ; Q. B., Up-
ham ; H. B., Saxe and Judd ; F. B., Scott.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
125
The toss was won by Wesleyan, and Stevens
opened the game at 3.15. Superior kicking
and good work by the rushers carried the play
past Stevens* 25 yard line, where the ground
was hotly contested for several minutes. Good
runs by Baldwin and Kletzsch took the ball
again to the centre of the field, and shortly
afterward Saxe, by a long punt, sent it nearly
to Stevens' goal line, where Kletzsch caught
it, but was tackled and lost the ball. Wesleyan
improved the opportunity and made a touch
down, but did not succeed in kicking a goal.
On being kicked from the 25 yard line, the
ball was stopped, and in the next scrimmage
Stevens was forced to touch down for safety.
During the remainder of the half, Wesleyan
was put on the defensive, Baldwin and Kletzsch
carrying the ball twice nearly to their goal
line, where trials for goal were unsuccessfully
made.
In the second half the play was quite close,
most of the time the ball being near the centre
of the field. Once, when the play was a little
in Wesleyan *s favor, some good passing and a
quick, long kick increased her score by a
goal from the field, making it 11 points to
Stevens' o.
Wesleyan played a much harder game than
Stevens and was also superior in weight. A
noticeable feature of the game was the punting
of Saxe.
Umpire for Wesleyan, Mr. Beattys ; for
Stevens, Mr. Schultz. Referee, Mr. Cutler,
of Yale.
PRINCETON V5, STEVENS — NOVEMBER I, AT
PRINCETON.
Princeton — Rushers: De Camp, Wannama-
ker, Harris, Adams, Bird, Irvine and H. Hodge;
Q. B., R. Hodge ; H. B., Lamar and Baker ;
F. B, Toler.
Stevens — Rushers : Cotiart, Kletzsch, Glas-
gow, Dilworth, Hart, Burhorn and Greene-
baum ; Q. B., Munkwitz ; H. B., Baldwin and
Campbell ; F. B., Adriance. Umpire for
Princeton, Mr. Conners ; for Stevens, Mr.
Rice. Referee, Mr. Moffatt, of Princeton.
Stevens* players became so discouraged
shortly after the beginning of the game by the
decisions of the referee, that they moved about
as fast as they had to and no faster. Both
Baker and Latmar made several good runs,
Princeton scoring four goals and one touch
down in each half, making a total of 56 points
to Stevens* o.
The men who can impartially referee a game
of foot ball between their own and some other
college are very few, and this case was not an
exception, as the referee ably seconded Prince-
ton's umpire. He had a way of using his
cane with considerable vigor, tapping Stevens'
rushers on the back as a means of impressing
upon their minds some decision, warning
or remark. When, after showing more than
ordinary patience, one of Stevens' rushers re-
monstrated, he was told, " Shut your mouth ;
I am managing this game."
On another occasion, the referee must have
thought he was playing on the Princeton team
as of old, for he went into the rush line and
pushed a Stevens man "on side."
As referee, Mr. Moffat is undoubtedly of
more value to Princeton's team than he ever
was as a player.
RUTGERS vs. STEVENS — NOV. 4, 1 884, AT
NEWARK.
When time was called a light rain was fall-
ing, and after fifteen minutes' play the ground,
the ball and the players were so wet that the
referee stopped the play, and decided the
game as drawn.
Both sides, however, had succeeded in scor-
ing. A run of more than half the length of the
grounds and a good kick yielded Stevens a
goal from the field, and one of about 25 yards
by Patterson gave Rutgers a touch down,
from which, however, the trial for goal failed.
ADELPHI ACADEMY V5, STEVENS — NOV. 6, 1 884,
AT HOBOKEN.
The visitors, although playing with consid-
erable pluck, were rather light, and were
outplayed in two twenty minute innings, 58
to o.
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA VS. STEVENS —
NOV. 8, 1884, AT PHILADELPHIA.
Pennsylvania's players were :
Rushers : Smith, Beck, Mitchell, Tunis,
Houston, Thompson and Bell.
Quarter Back : Lindsey.
Half Backs : Moffley and Thayer.
Full Back: Noble.
Stevens — Rushers : Greenebaum, Burhorn,
McCoy, Dilworth, Hart, Glasgow and Cotiart.
Quarter Back : Munkwitz.
Half Backs : Baldwin and Campbell.
Full Back : Adriance.
Umpire for Stevens : Mr. A. P. Kletzsch.
Referee : Mr. Remak, of University of
Pennsylvania.
126
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
The Pennsylvania rushers did very good
work, getting down on the ball very well
when it was kicked by their half backs. Stevens*
play from beginning to end was weak and very
loose, errors of all kinds being numerous.
Pennsylvania kicked the ball off, and their
rushers prevented Baldwin from returning it.
A wild throw took the ball back of Stevens
goal line, where Adriance was forced to touch
down for safety. Pennsylvania made four
touch downs during the first half, from only
one of which was a goal kicked. In the second
half a goal and a touch down were added to
her score, leaving it 2 goals and 4 touch
downs to I safety for Stevens ; or, in points.
University of Pennsylvania, 30; Stevens, o.
On the loth inst., the Class of '87 defeated
*86, with a score of '87, 20 ; '86, o.
Stevens, *88, played C. C, N. Y., '88, on the
Central Park grounds. New York, on Novem-
ber II, and won. Stevens, *88, 8, to C. C, N.
Y., '88, o.
^■^ »»
PERSe^AUS.
•76.
Adam Riesenberger has been appointed
Treasurer of Stevens Institute, his office being
the room opposite the President's, in the In-
stitute building.
Alfred R. Wolff is associate editor of the
American Engineer^ published at Chicago, 111.
'82.
HosEA Webster, with the Worthington
Pump Co., is now in charge of the Chicago
offices of that company.
•83-
E. DuQUE Estrada, having returned from
Cuba, is at present with Prof. Thurston.
Malcom McNauohton is at his home in
Mumford, N. Y.
F. K. Irwin is with the Wisconsin Central
R.R., experimenting with improved air brakes.
'84.
Harvey Mitchell is instructor of shop
work in the College of the City of New York.
G. M. Sinclair is with the Midvale Steel
Works, West Philadelphia, Pa., deducing laws
for the different tools by which the maximum
amount of work can be obtained in the least
time.
C. L. Gately is general superintendent of
the Patent Cane Umbrella Works, at New
London, Conn.
Edward B. Renwick is at the Brooks
Locomotive Works, Dunkirk, N. Y.
Charles W. Thomas has a position as as-
sistant superintendent of the Dixon Lead
Pencil Works, Jersey City.
Frank Van Vleck is pursuing his studies
at Johns Hopkins University.
D. H. Maury is at Gen. McClellan's cop-
per mine in Northwestern Texas.
William L. Lyall is ill, and has with-
drawn from Hanover University for a time.
L. D. Carroll is with the New Orleans
Exposition, where he will remain until it
closes.
BXGSA^SBS.
As our first number of this year went to
press very few of our college exchanges had
arrived, probably owing to the difference in
time at which the various colleges open. How-
ever, they have all come to hand now, as well
as our valuable professional exchanges, and
we shall endeavor to give a synopsis each
month of the most important subjects dis-
cussed in the current journals of the day.
The exchange department of The Indicator
has had a most phenomenal growth. The
present editor, looking back over the files,
finds that as late as last May we counted about
ten college journals, and to-day such papers
as The American Engineer ^ Van NostrancT s
Engineering Magazine^ The Electrician and
Electrical Engineer^ American Machinist^
and many others grace the files in our office,
together with a vast stock of college monthlies
and bimonthlies. It will be the aim of this
column to direct the attention of its readers to
such articles on engineering and electricity
which appear in these magazines as will be of
the most interesting and important character.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
127
In Tke American Engineer, for several weeks
pasi, has appeared a continued address, read
Iwfore the British Association at Montreal,
on the " Forth Bridge," by B. Baker. The
site of this bridge is between South Queens-
ferry and North Quecnsferry, on opposite
sides of the Firth of Forth, twelve miles
above Edinburgh, and will be the largest girder
bridge yet built, when completed. The Firth
at this point is about a mile wide, the inter-
mediate points of support for the bridge being
granite piers and a natural rock island that
esists at about midway between the shores.
The piers are about completed now, and the
steel portions of the structure have been in
process of construction for some time past, at
the works near by, so the completion of the
enterprise will be rapid. The bridge is of the
cantilever type, the two longest spans of which
will be 1,700 feet each, being 100 feet greater
ihm the distance between the piers of the
Brooklyn Bridge. The completion of a steel
girder bridge of this magnitude will be looked
foniard to as a grand triumph in engineering.
The address by Mr. B. Baker is well worth
looking up and reading. The number for
Oct. 34 gives a sketqh of the life of Mr. Chas.
Brash, the electrician, as "The Lesson of the
Time." It shows the triumph of a well trained
sciemific man, highly skilled in shop practice.
The number for Oct, 31 contains a rather
gloomy account of the outlook for the Panama
Cinal, including some discouraging testimony
by Commodore Schufeldt, U. S. N., who has
hielv returned from the isthmus. He esti-
miies that (400,000,000 will be necessary to
compjeie it, and he thinks it will be impossi-
bieioraise sufficient funds. Capt. Pim, R. N.,
«ho has also just returned to New York from
PaDama, slates the death rate there from yel-
low fever at 109 per 1,000. 4,000 of the
wmpany's men have already died, and enor-
"logs hospitals accommodate the patients.
In Van Nostraad's Magasine for November
welinij the essence of Messrs. Gantt and Mau-
ry's thesis written last year on " The Efficiency
(^Fluids in Vapor Engines." The fluidscon-
sideied are water, alcohol, ether, carbon di-
snlphide and chloroform. The subject is
(i:vided into five cases, each case having a
different set of conditions under which the
KlioB of the fluids are considered. The final
conclusion reached is that "All the apparent
advantages of the non-aqueous vapors may be
fained in the steam engine by an increase of
initial pressure, and as the tendency of mod-
ern practice is in that direction, it seems cer-
tain that none of the non-aqueous vapors will
ever sueeess/ully compete with steam." They
show a gain of 3 per cent, efficiency in the
case of chloroform, using a cylinder three-
fourths the volume of that of steam, but its
high cost excludes it as a comperitor.
The Eiectrkian and Electrical Engineer con-
tains articles of interest to that profession,
among which are "The Brooks Underground
Telegraph System," " Electric Lighthouse
Experiments in England," and "Progress of
Electric Railroad Signalling in the United
States."
We are pleased to acknowledge the re-
ceipt of a new exchange, The Haverfordian.
It is a neat, iwenty-four page paper, and one
of the brightest college journals we have seen.
After the usual editorials pertaining to affairs
of the college, and which show that the edi-
tors are decidedly literary in their tastes,
several pages are taken up with an interesting
article entitled "On and Off the Lancaster
Turnpike," The article is well written, and the
board of editors should be proud of having
one of their number show such pleasing de-
scriptive talent. We understand the author
of it is preparing for a literary profession, and
we venture to predict for him a brilliant suc-
cess. The local column is sparkling and
witty. ,\ notable feature is the illustrations,
which would dojustice to the highest class of
magazines. Haverford, we congratulate you
upon having such a worthy journal.
Just before going to pres.s we received The
American Engineer for November 7. We
would call the attention of all to a most sub-
stantial article by Prof. J. E. Denton on the
fundamental questions as to energy of steam.
This is a subject that all should familiarize
themselves with, and the main points in this
article are put in the professor's terse and
comprehensive style.
IFBB SeUUESB WSRUS.
Yale. — Theodore Thomas has invited the
Yale and .\mherst glee clubs to give a series
of joint concerts in the large cities of the
West. Those who love order and discipline
are in agony over the attempt which the polit-
ical clubs made at military tactics. The
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
Senior debating society has decided that pri-
vate morals have no place in the political
canvass. The yearly examinations have
given place to semi-yearly ones.
Princeton. — The foot ball learn is not so
strong as we were led to believe at the begin-
ning of the season. CymnascicR ace compul-
sory in the Freshman and Sophomore classes.
Rutgers. — Every week a part of one of the
Senior's recitations with Prof. Gates is de-
voted to general discussion. The class is
divided into three committees, with a chair-
man at the head of each. It is the duty of
the members of one section to ascertain the
principal facts of interest in current literature ;
a second furnish reports of the most impor-
tant scientific discoveries, while the third post
themselves in regard to the important events
transpiring in the political world. — Tar-
gum. Prof. Hasbrouck has left the college
and gone to the Adelphi Academy, Brooklyn.
AuHERST. — Arrangements have been made
by the college authorities by which the
weather reports of the Washington Signal
Bureau will be sent to Amherst each day.
In General. — The recent boat race be-
tween the Freshmen and Sophomores of
Columbia resulted in a victory for the Sophs.
Of two hundred and sixty students at
Johns Hopkins University, one hundred and
fifty are college graduates pursuing post grad-
uate courses. ('aise, of VVilhams, has
broken the ball throwing record by a throw of
373 feet. The University of Virginia is to
have a new chapel, costing Jio,ooo. The
laboratories of the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology have been greatly enlarged dur-
ing the past summer. The Adelphi Acad-
emy has now a professor of gymnastics.
On account of the serious results attending
the late cane rush at Cornell, the officers of
the classes have been summoned before the
Faculty. Two of the editors at Dartmouth
have been suspended for a too free expression
of their views. A new department, of en-
gineering, has been established at Michigan
University.
it. Pal replied : " Faith, and I obeyed ord
If the man had fallen off the
broken his neck, 1 should i
ported it." — Ex.
An Irish soldier went to his station with the
order to report anything remarkable that
should happen during the night. A drunken
fellow fell of[ the wall and broke his neck, and
no report was made. When questioned about
GBIPPIfiSS.
Dr. Keems says : " Kissing is ;
American habit." Let us remember this, d
brethren, and ever liberally patronize home
industry." — Sibyl.
Smart Youth — "Jim, do you know why
white sheep eat more than black sheep ?"
Scientific Companion — " No ; do they ? '
S. v.— "Yes; it's a fact."
S. C.^"WeIl, perhaps the chemical con-
stituents of white wool require — "
S. Y. — " Oh, nonsense ! they eat more be-
cause there are more of 'em." — Tech.
A lecture was delivered at Cornell last year
on " New Jersey ; or, the Mysteries ol an
Unknown Land." The lecturer being a
graduate of that institution. — Sibyl.
It is an old story, but perhaps will beat
repetition for the present generation : A
mother sent her promising boy out to saw up
some old logs that had once been used on the
railroad. After some time the mother, upon
going out, found her boy sitting in a rather
dejected mood, and she said : " Why, what's
the matter, my son?" The boy replied:
" Mother, I find it hard, so hard to sever old
ties." — Norlhtveitern,
Thomas Hood, driving in the country one
day, observed a notice beside the fence ; " Be-
ware the dog." There not being any signs of
a dog, Hood wrote on the board ; " Ware be
the dog ?"
1 want to be a cojichman, and with the coacbmen
Brass buUons f.n my livery nni! whipslock in my hand ;
To sit upon a carringe box — this is my brighlesl hope —
And with the pretty daugUtet plan the best ■
Vol.
3K J>ecemlse|*, 1884. m
^
-ConSE/Vig.-
||.,6ommunicaCion*,
9ora«C of Sson, ...
Qoma 3ccr<* afiouC CRa ■' Jfpcdfin^ M061"
SsWbenafAj
c»c8an0a*, -
sage
I
* /kev**!}^ iD^tibit* of SMiznolofy.
THE STEVENS tNDrCATOR,
THE
Stevens Institute of Technology,
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING,
FOUNDED BY THE 1.ATB 35DWIN A. STEVENS,
— .AT
HOBOKEN, N. J.
HEHRV MOarON, Ph. D PtMWtat
ALFRED M. UAVER, Plu D^ . P»L Plijr»Ja
HOOERT H, THURSTON, A- W., C. E, Prpf. Mrdi. Enginwiriin
DE VOUSON WOOD. C. B.. . Prof. Mklfa. «n«l Mechanica
C, W. McCORD. A. M., . . Frol. Meeh. Dr«wlii«
ALBERT R. LEEDS, Pb. O , . . . Ptof. Cbeuilrtrr
CHARLES F. KROEH, A. M.. . , Ptof. L»aK<»C«>
REV. EDWARD WALL. A- M-. Prof. BeJto -let ttw
J. E. DENTON. M. E, . PrnL aS EvperitDenUl Mutunlu and 5)iop«niric
A. mESENSERGER. M. E., Ia>UuctM ta Mtch. Dnwlnc
C. A. flAHi^ Ai--. P.oe'rU S. N., Prof, pf Manor EOBlawriaei'tii lr»tn.r1t.r m MathfnjBtiCl
W. t; ■ ■ . . . ■ ■ !--y
■ i«M Ictliviie U irf ftiur Jcth <lunJion. nod cxiTcif ..
ofn II; BCInt »• wnrVifar^ ^IterLlvJ «l|t< luud kst III i <'
»li[- ■' ■ .!■, anul| nil'l wi'li ';.r nn.'.: (Jalnia^* llf ItM:rucliniI>>, n . , ■ ^
'Of llMi>m;-!i iitil ji.^c'Knl knal>](il|[c i ' ' .nt p«tli:ulln sddiVM llif I',-<-_.nli'r.i
K. MOTITON. Hoboli- t i
STEVENS HIGH SCHOOL.
THE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT
— oj- rn*. —
STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,
RIVER STREET, bst. Bih and eth. HOBOKEN. N. J..
OPENS SEPTEMBER 17, 1884.
ZtvainvJOM tor Admlaolon oa th« ISth aaA 16th of Sap^mbar-
iNSTHUCTlON GIVEN IN THE ANCIENT AMD MODERN LANGUAGES; IN FREE-
HAND AND MECHANICAL DRAWING,
JUNIOR DEPARTMENT, ■ ■ ■ . ■OO.OO PER ANNUM.
SENIOR DEPARTMENT, ■ ■ ■ - SISO.OO PER ANNUM.
rbiwa t.i-m. ludladw kU the .MidliM.
f^r Cfit&lOKUM Bppiy ts tbs Ltbrarlsn zt Sbsvaoa Icstl'.atc.
TSfi
^Uevefi^ JpidiQaIsp'.
HOBOKEN, N. J., DECEMBER, 1884.
No. 9.
n7>U*UaD ON TUI
■k SF UCH MONTH, DURIIIQ THE COLLEGE YEIR,
BY THE STUDENTS OF
_^Vbd^ Injffeitate of Tec^oologj.
fibCtOTB,
. C. R. COLLINS, '8S.
■ Ekto*. - B. p. MOWTON, '».
■ Bocnw, .... HENRY ABBEY, 'Bj
Kocxl SBitors.
NORTH Hcl-KAN. 'Si.
. SMITH, ->7. WALTER S. DIX, B?
ttUBBRT S. WYMKOOP. 'BS.
M i-«.N ft Vtt, in IMmmb*. >insl* Copir, 20 Cenli.
i^T/."
I i< ebtaintd at Luthin
^wrUn't fmlt namt,<uvieU at kit nou db flume,
-. '~Hp' lib mrtiele, ai aimratue cf food /ailh
r; haitmUnelttpMtlhktd, unkti diiired.
. eamlrihtlUiu, jiiiserifiliaiis, oJvtrliitminls
rreammKHuatioHi bfmail. should bt addrtssed
K Stevens Indicator, Stevens Imliluli, Hoiokin,
tmabml 1
I884 draws to a close and the Chri&t-
i holidays loom up before us, it is
I to look back and consider for a
:n[s, and then plunge into our race
1 Time again, and continue with the same
. resolutions that we made at the same
jE lut year. Though, for some reason, we
:_liot remembered, or at least have not
Kljbeiii this year, so nearly finished, yet we
liat we have cause to believe that we
B more successful in our endeavors the
BM ; bat who knows ?
V are we going to spend this vacation ?
if n% giMDg home, will get solid enjoy-
ment out of those great sports furnished by
nature, skating and sleighing. For some, this
pleasure will be enhanced by the presence of
that some one from whom frequent daintily
addressed letters arc seen in our letter rack.
Others, more "practical" or, rather, less ap-
preciative, will find plenty of enjoyment alone
or with chance companions. However, each
one, according to his tastes, and, in whatever
way he may spend the time, will feel that
we have deserved all thi.. luxurious feeling of
rest which we can enjoy to our satisfaction for
two weeks at least ; first, because we have
finished a hard term's work and have passed
creditably through all our examinations, with-
out any dread " conditions " dragging at our
heels ; second, by being another year with
our professors we have only increased the
good opinion which they had of us from the
first.
Thus, The Indicator, rejoicing in the
same good fortune, presents its compliments
to its subscribers, with a Merry Christmas
TO All !
WITH this number of The Indicator
closes the first year of its struggle for
existence.
The struggle has been more successful than
was anticipated, and at the end of the year
The Indicator is not only out of debt but has
a small balance remaining. Financially, the
paper has succeeded ; but as to its filling the
ideas of every one as to what a college paper
should be, wc cannot say ; only this, that if
the students would but make themselves per-
sonally interested, as they ought to be, in the
college journal, there would be less reason for
doubt. The year has been full of experiences
chief among them the fact that the students
i^o
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
will not contribute as they ought in order
to make the paper an established success.
The Indicator knows no politics; it is (as
the Constitution reads) " published by the stu-
dents," and welcomes all contributions which
will be of interest to the college and its friends.
We hope to continue our friendly intercourse
with other colleges, and shall soon be able
to report a full list of exchanges. Vassar we
still have to negotiate for, and we hope our
efforts will not be unavailing.
Having passed the first year with fair suc-
cess, we shall consider our paper as one of the
fixtures of the Institute, and will be more crit-
icising whenever occasion demands. There
are many subjects that The Indicator
has still to discuss, and we hope with effect ;
so, before opening fire, we would suggest that
the just shall continue to merit the fair name
of the just, and that the unjust will mend his
paths and make them straight, for if The In-
dicator sees a weak point, and the subject
needs a talking over for the good of the In-
stitute, we will open the conversation.
The year's run is finished, and the card re-
cently taken shows both good points and
weak ones. During the holidays The Indica-
tor will be taken apart and thoroughly
cleaned and burnished. The chief defect in
the readings indicates that a change of fuel
is necessary, and as we reckon fuel by dollars
and cents, we earnestly recommend that each
one subscribes one dollar and a half's worth
of fuel for the coming year.
« ^ » »
IN answer to an appeal from the " Twilight
Club," made through Prof. Kroeh, the
patriotism of the students was stirred up, and
they responded with a subscription of one
hundred dollars toward the pedestal fund for
the Bartholdi Statue of Liberty. Through the
efforts of Prof. Kroeh, a stone has been se-
cured in the pedestal, on which is to be an
inscription of the Stevens Institute of Tech-
nology. This stone, in addition, is to be on
that side of the pedestal facing the Institute,
and, though Stevens will always remain cele-
brated on her own merits, the stone will stand
in the greatest statue in the world as a fitting
place for a memorial of the first technical
school in the country.
TTTHE Inter-Collegiate Foot Ball Association
X can make rules regarding the individual
player's conduct; but the rules will fail in some
cases, and then the question of honor comes
in.
We speak of the unwarranted backing out
of an engagement of one team, after a game
had been definitely arranged.
We have noticed that we are not the only
ones who have suffered from this evil, but have
heard complaints from other colleges, and
strange to say, all are against the same team.
Rutgers has long been establishing the reputa-
tion of " play when we have a strong team,
but don't make engagements, or else back out
when we have reason to think we will be
beaten."
Teams outside of the Association have no
redress, and all we have to rely on, and all, pre-
vious to this season, that was necessary, was the
honor of the individual teams.
We negotiated with Rutgers for two games
early in the season, but no dates could be
settled upon, until appearances seemed to
point to the fact of Stevens team being weak,
then Rutgers asked for a game and fixed Nov.
22, at Hoboken, as the date. Believing the
game would be a close one and interesting,
the Athletic Association advertised exten-
sively and made all the necessary arrangements.
In the meantime, our team met the Gradu-
ates and defeated them. This was Tuesday.
Well, we felt encouraged, and had no doubt
whatever but that we would win with Rutgers^
and as the game was to be played the following
Saturday, we felt sure of no disappointment.
Thursday before the game Rutgers refused
to play, and we immediately supposed the
Times' account of our game with the Graduates
had influenced them, and a committee was
THJB STEVENS tNDtCAtOR.
15*
sent to New Brunswick. But even this reason-
able excuse they did not make for backing out,
but the all important one that ''two of the
team expected to preach on Sunday," and
could not risk being stiflf^ied up.
They absolutely refused to play, and left us
but one day to make other arrangements for
filling a Saturday that had been kept open for
them for a week. We could do nothing on
such short notice, and consequently lost one
of our Saturdays.
This we mildly call dishonorable; and if
politeness would permit, we have a smaller
word that will fit more exactly.
To try and arrange a game of foot ball with
Rutgers is a waste of time, paper, ink and
postage stamps.
Gefflffly^iGA^Fie^s.
To the Editors of The Indicator:
I was delighted to see the subject of our
long wished for and much needed gymnasium
brought up again in your columns.
I, for one, believe in repetition in order to
gain the ear of every one; indeed, it seems to
me that it would be a good plan to put in large
letters on the bulletin board, GYMNASIUM,
and leave it there for the rest of the year. It
vas a happy thought to bring into conjunction
^ith the first all important matter, the Library,
not to supply the old one, for we never had
one, but because it is an essential part of a
lugh educational institute like ours. Having
been one of a committee who have been
obliged to meet where they could, in a room
in the basement, for instance, since the loss of
our reception room, I heartily indorse such
a room in the extension you propose. May
vesoon have it in our possession!
Student.
To the Editors of The Indicator:
I thought your suggestion of inserting Polit-
ical Economy as a study a very good one.
I hardly liked, however, the idea of doing
away with part of our time for Literature,
considering the subject, with a good text book,
very valuable. Now, I think the following
would be a good plan:
The Freshman class, at present, have their
course in Belles- Let tres arranged as follows:
First term. Fowler's English Language; second
term. Deductive Logic; third term. Inductive
Logic. My suggestion is that Logic be taken
in one term, and Political Economy take its
place the third term. I think that all those
who have passed through our course in Logic
will agree with me that it is too extended for
our purposes, and that it is not so beneficial as
to merit so much of our time; a term's study
of the subject would suffice. A better plan,
perhaps, would be to take up English Litera-
ture the Freshman year, and the other three
the next. The latter do not necessarily come
before the former; the more one considers
this, the more apparent it becomes.
Another word in favor of Political Economy:
In the Eccentric for 1878 the following ap-
pears: In speaking of the " History of Civili-
zation," which they tlien studied, they say,
" Now, with all due deference to the judg-
ment of our learned Professor, we would sug-
gest that the substitution of * Political Econ-
omy * would be followed by good results.
The former subject is important, we admit,
and the knowledge of it we here obtain is
valuable; but how much more consistent it
would be to have here, in Stevens Institute,
the study of the laws of exchange, of trade, of
commerce, and of values! Is it not more in
the direct line of our subject, and would it not
be more important? ♦ ♦ ♦ Let us have
Political Economy; the spirit of our course
demands it."
Let this last sentence be re-echoed in 1884!
P.
EDUCATIONAL REFORMS AND
COLLEGE STUDIES.
[Alpha Beta Phi Star and Crescent for May— Abridged.]
(Conclndtd.)
It would be difficult, I apprehend, even for
a professor of Greek, to point out special ad-
vantages in mental gymnastics derivable from
the study of Greek, that may not be also de-
rived from an equally scientific study of Ger-
man; and if it be a question of the relative
wealth of the two literatures, or of their utility
in the activities of life, comparison becomes
contrast. There are, however, but few re-
formers in education who would discourage
the study of Latin.
iji
THE STEVENS IXDICATOIL
td riu/Aj mart
tcardb^ judd tW cukofe of natklj diarKtrr,
are tlie bi^beit jrineveoMrms of cx41c^ traiB-
Mif ; jad dbe tea vort of tl»e f/rofeMor is ooi
imtia4€mn% to recitatioDf^ boverer vefl coin-
mmtiiA^ but in ^w^umn% the corioittf of the
»l<t4ept» and %uySm% their tniretligitioftt.
|»i(nictaoo bf mvrvtication thoold be tbe
key fftote of untrtrmj ItUr, tbe key note in all
itHtkutvjtH wh0:rt tbe ftvdenu arera|;e above
eiffbtem or tventy yeart of afe>
What n»o«t pef*on> vonld regard as an on-
wife extension of thi* Islxtty^ h^ recently been
inirod4i/;ed at Harvard. The »tudent» are not
r<M\mrtd Uj \je prc%ent at recitations or lec-
ture*. Attendance i* voluntary^ and the ex-
^minMumn zrc the only test as to whether the
student has d^/ne his work. Hut even this
doul/tful lil^erty has its advantages^ and the
trend of ftitnm %etm% likely to lead to it in
the highest institutions. How much time is
wasted in the humdrum of the recitation room,
where the student who knows his lesson labor-
iously pares his nails while he listens to the
blunderings or extem[x>rizings of dull or
careless men! Besides, would it not bean ex-
cellent spur to the teai:her? If students pre
Ut attend his t%tu:\%c% he must make it worth
while that they do so, and indisj^en sable to their
|>a*sing the examinations.
Reformers in <rduration have generally con-
demned the tra/litional method of language
tea/:hing by grammar and lexicon. They claim
that it is unnatural, laborious, an immense
waste of time, and that for the average student
it docs not lead Uf KJght reading.
The study of cvcrv language should be
cAtried to the point where it throws open the
literature; anything short of this should be re-
garded as failure, and all work and methods of
work should be adopted with reference to this
specific: result.
Hut by the methods of language study now
employed in our schools and colleges, there is
not enough of any lanj^uage read to make
sight readmg an accomplishment; and this, not
alone because the time given to it is too limited,
but because too much time has been spent on
grammar rules and details of trivial impor-
tance— on philology and the history of words.
Our colleges attempt to make philologists and
grammarians before they have made linguists.
The natural order is the quickest order. It
begins with words, phrases. It first masters
vocabulary. It associates names with objects
€K
\
of srhk
ncrer be Bsod.
Ib odfter dtparoborrs oi ssdr the b
is from tbe ounucic to die alKixact — in
to tbe flcnenl; bet bere the s
of the langna^ t» tzi^^ before tbe ba
itself. So one wii^iikg to kzm French
begin by connittiBig to ^^Bkorr a roh
rules and fomnlc
Tbe aim of every teacher of languages I
be si^t reading for that is tbe point at
the language becomes ci real service; a
it will be ^knitted that comparatiTely
our cc^ege graduates attain to it, either
ancient or modem languages
Emerson said that he did iK>t know u
sons who could read Greek at forty;
would be interesting to inquire wbethe
is one person in this assembly who^ ann
personal acquaintances, knows ten der
who can read the Greek Testaments as
an average child of eight can read his I
Testament And when we recall the b
of years and laborious teaching spent
classics, it suggests some vital blunder
methods employed.
The advantages of a system of max
prizes are so great, that few, even of the 1
institutions, are without them. Wlien
are based on examinations, the attendaj
are few ; but it has been questioned wh
system of marks based on daily reci
from a text book, under conditions of
for reward, tends to promote broad and
some scholarship or to exalt character.
On the contrary, it is said that such
tern discourages independence of mir
dampens that grand curiosity which
lead a student to wide and original re
The text book and lecture would be ma
at least by the hopeful few who press
the mark of the prize, but at the exp
those habits which are indispensable to
success. The prize man under such a
is not necessarily the truest scholar. It
tainly significant that Sir William Th«
Clifford and Clerk Maxwell all failed t(
the honor of Senior Wrangler at Cam
Nothing is more important in a uni
than to keep up the dignity of let
nothing more indispensable than an in
ual tone; but these can hardly dwell in
mosphere where there is competition ov<
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
133
minor details as verbal accuracy in text book
recitations, and where the generosities of youth
are exposed to ignoble motives. Surely for
motive we might trust to the stimulating power
of good instruction, to the spur which is found
in the love of learning, and the esprit du corps
of a genuine university.
Whether these suggested changes are true
reforms, which will win their way till a reno-
vated curriculum is established everywhere,
or whether, after the experiments of a few
generations, men will say that the "old is
better," are questions for the future; but one
thing is certain, the cause of education will
prosper more and more, and the race of men
will rise higher and higher.
"Yet I doabt not through the ages one increasing pur-
p>ose runs,
And the thoughts of men are widened with the process
of the suns."
The majestic generalizations in theroretical
science which have characterized our time; the
discoveries and applications in electricity which
have created the illusion that we are living in
an enchanted world; the rigorous historical
criticism which is laying bare the quivering
life of all ancient institutions; the unmatched
material prosperity of the age; yea, the very
challenge which philosophy and scholarship
are giving to supernatural faith, all combine to
make ours one of the critical epochs of the
world's life — the morning of a day of marvels
in progress and of benedictions for mankind.
"This fine old world of ours is but a child yet in the
go-cart ;
Give it time to learn its limbs : There is a Hand that
guides."
FOREST OF DEAN.
Have any of you heard of Forest of Dean ?
I think not, so it is my intention to describe a
visit there last summer. To begin with,
Forest of Dean is a little out-of-the-way place
in Orange County, N. Y., about five miles
back from the Hudson. Its principal occu-
pations are farming and mining. With this
information, you are prepared to proceed.
Half of the summer had gone by, and I
found myself at Montrose, a small place just
below Peekskill, N. Y., my geological outfit as
yet untouched. So one morning it came about
that I amused myself by sitting on the string
piece of the steamboat dock at Verplanck,
wailing for the fog to lift, In a short time the
" Emeline " came along and I embarked,
" overcoat rolled and slung U. S. army style,
one day's rations in haversack." The little
steamboat slowly made her way northward,
until Ft. Montgomery was reached. Here, after
crawling over the piles of iron ore which
covered the dock, Mr. Macy, weigh master of
the Forest of Dean iron mine, received me. He
led me to his little office beside the West Shore
Railroad track, and gave me all required infor-
mation regarding my trip. Half an hour later
I found myself in an ore wagon (without
springs) ascending a very steep incline. The
driver, a tall, lank fellow in hickory shirt, cor-
duroy trousers and No. 17 boots, immediately
opened fire.
" Be you a city dude ?** he asked, at the same
time eyeing me doubtfully. I informed him
that my place of residence was the city, but
that I did not correspond to the last idea.
" This is fine weather we air hevin*. I
s*pose ye air a — a — one of them fellers what
goes around pickin' up rocks ?" (This interrog-
atively.) ** Well, yes; I admit I am a geologist
in embryo." At this statement he gazed at
me in a dreamy, bewildered way, and I was
bounced about so by the running of the wheels
over chunks of ore, that I had no desire to
continue the conversation. He recovered
sufficiently, however, to fire one more remark
at me before I bade him good bye.
" That there's Bear Mountain ; ye hed
oughter see it when the leaves is turnin*." After
a two mile ride we reached the ** dump,"
where a train of six cars was discharging its
load into chutes, which ran down to a platform,
whence the ore was loaded on the wagons.
Seating myself upon the cleanest looking car, a
few moments only elapsed before the entire
train, drawn by five mules, harnessed tandem,
was rapidly ascending the grade. Here I was
destined to be surprised and pleased, for the
road wound through a broad, fertile valley
beside a rushing brook. Meadow land was
abundant, and near at hand the forests rose
step after step up the mountain's side.
During this ride I had occasion to question
the train men in regard to the time table at
the mine. Their answers, involving the use
of the words " day time " and ** railroad time,"
bothered me considerably. Without giving
their explanation of the terms, I will state the
facts : For some reason (which I could not
find out) the clocks at the mines are an hour
faster than at the railroad stations on the
other side of the mountains. That is, the
miners go to work at 6 o'clock, but, as they
134
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
reckon time, 7 o'clock. Thus their hours are
7-12 and 1-5 "day time/' or 6-11 and 12-4
railroad time." Even after the explanation
it was necessary for me to stop and think the
matter all over before making a calculation.
When the cars stopped at the mine, I made
my way to the " head house," and was waiting
for the next car to take me seventeen hundred
feet into the mine, when two four seated
wagons drove up and dumped a load of city
boarders by my side. In five minutes they
had undergone a great change. Every girl
was enveloped in a huge waterproof, with
cape and hood, and each boy had produced
an old coat and dilapidated hat. Their in-
tention was obvious, so I concluded not to
risk my life with that gang. Finally one of
the foremen shovelled, metaphorically speak-
ing, them into a car, and they descended into
Plutonian darkness. I went out and began
prospecting in the immediate vicinity.
After the dinner, which the men ate at 1 1
a. m., the blacksmith approached, and offered
me a piece of tin, " just as it comes from the
furnace." Talking with him, I found he had
been a miner in southern England before
coming to America, and that he had obtained
abetter education than most of his class. He
was not busy just then, so we wandered off
into the " wheel house." The motive power
for the machinery comes from a pond a couple
of miles back in the mountains, and runs the
large wheels, one for pumping and hoisting
and the other for ventilating. Although it
was noon of a hot August day, I shivered in
the wheel house, and gladly came out when
my inspection of the machinery was completed.
Stopping to look in at the door of a
little house, about 30 x 25, I heard a cheery
" Good day ; won't you come in ?" The
speaker, a man of fifty or so, rose and wiped
off an empty powder box for me to sit on. I
thanked him, and began to take in the sur-
roundings. On the farther side of the room
were piled boxes labelled, "Atlas Powder ;
explosive ; handle carefully," while on the
other side was a carefully guarded stove. Mr.
Anderson — he told me his name in the course
of our conversation — was at work preparing
fuses for the next day's blast.
" Did you see that crowd from Stock-
bridge's ?" he asked. " They'll get hurt down
in the mine, tripped by the cable or something
of the sort. If the boss was here they couldn't
go down all at once." He reached for the
coil of fuse and cut off a dozen or twenty
pieces, each a yard long, then he opened a box
containing triple blasting cartridges, and slip-
ped one on one end of each fuse, where he
nipped it fast.
** Why don't you hammer them on ? " I
asked. He looked at me for a moment to see
if I were in earnest and then, in response to an
inquiry, he explained the method of blasting.
We drill the holes and then put in an
ordinary charge of giant powder. Then we
take a prepared fuse and force it home upon
the powder, and the thing is ready to be ex-
ploded." Scraping aside some sawdust, he
took from an open box of Atlas powder a
cylindrical shaped package, an inch or more
wide and several inches long. " This is
called * Atlas powder,* but it is a powder only
in name. You see it looks like a grease; a
glycerine absorbent, I think you scientific men
would call it. I make a hole in it by means
of this punch, and force a fuse in, so. Now
this package fits the drilled hole closely and
serves as a wad. We can set off thirty or
forty blasts in a single morning. No blasting
is done in the afternoon."
The talk went on until it was time to return
home. Making my way to the ore cars, I
thoughtlessly seated myself on the forward car.
The train was running slowly, and time after
time, when my eye espied some desirable speci-
men, I jumped off and got it. When the mules
had lazily dragged their load over two thirds of
the distance, the boy on the leading mule dis-
mounted and detached the whole string of
mules. At first I did not realize what was to
occur, but, as the cars began to move, I sang
out:
" Hold up till I can get on the tail end of
this concern. If you are going to coast down
this grade I don't want any prominent posi-
tion." I took up my station on the rear car,
and the train of six cars, each having a load
of two and a half tons, started down the
grade. The cars were old and rotten, the
track narrow gauge, the rails crushed and
broken, and the road bed uneven. When the
thing had got a good move on it I was pleased,
but soon I unslung my bag and strapped the
hammer on it. Then, as the speed was
rather too considerable, I lay down upon the
bag of minerals, dug my toes into the crevices
in the corners of the car and grasped the cross
beam with both hands. Then the cars fairly
ricocheted along the track.
" Do - you - ever - run - off - the - track - eh ? " I
grunted out after enduring the torture for ^st
minutes. " Oh, yes ; we run off two or three
times a week." By practice the man could talk
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
135
quite well under this process. " Did-you-run-
off-yesterday ? " " No." ** Nor Tuesday ? " A
shake of the head. " Nor Monday ? '* Another
shake. " Gosh gerockkity ! '* thought I, " I'm
in for it, sure !** The expected catastrophe
did not take place, and we came up the home
stretch in fine style. It was my great pleas-
ure (?) to have the opportunity of walking
down to the river, as there was no wagon in
sight. Talking with Mr. Macy until the
" Emeline " came along, I found him a very in-
teresting talker. His extensive reading on
the subject of mining did him good service in
the absence of more exact scientific knowledge.
He is always glad to see visitors, and gives them
all the information in his power.
The trip was a very enjoyable one, and my
attempts at conversation were met with great
politeness and a desire to assist me from all
hands. I think that for those who have no
friends engaged in mining and who wish to
be shown the workings of a mine, the Forest
of Dean mine is the spot to visit. C.
SOME FACTS ABOUT THE " HOWLING
MOB/'
Those of our friends in and out of college
life who have read the account of the game
between the graduate team and the Stevens,
published in the TimeSy must have noticed the
great difference between the first and last part
of the article.
It is quite plain that the two parts were not
written by the same person, and it is also quite
evident to those who witnessed the game and
had the honor of composing the "howling
mob" spoken of in the TimeSy that the first
half of the account was undoubtedly sent to
the Times by one of the opposing team, and
evidently by one who " wound himself up in a
fight." The latter part of the article gives a
sportsman like account of the game, and not
a whining lamentation, as the first half reads.
In the very first play of the ball three of the
graduate team made themselves conspicious
by mean playing, and continued it throughout
the game. With the exception of the playing
of these three and the very just rough hand-
ling which they received from the Stevens
men, the game was a good one, and played
without any display of ill nature on the part of
either team. The mistake was in having a
referee who did not know the present foot
ball rules thoroughly. The referee refused to
warn the men for offside playing and foul
tackling and as a consequence each man had
to take care of his own rights, which led to
frequent quarrels. Foot ball with a good and
efficient referee is a capital game, but it re-
quires a man with a thorough knowledge of
the game to keep the players in subjection, and
only such a one can prevent the unnecessary
squabbling among the players.
The day after the game, the Tribune^ Times
and Hoboken Advertiser all published accounts
of the game and with the exception of the
Times the criticism of the playing was fair to
both teams. We publish an extract from the
Hoboken paper's account of the game, which
shows the opinion of disinterested outsiders
and which lacks the spitefulness of the Times
article (first half) :
VETERANS VANQUISHED— THE STEVENS INSTITUTE
FOOT BALL TEAM PLAY A STRONG GAME
AND BEAT THE GRADUATE TEAM.
About the roughest and most exciting game of foot
ball that has been played in Hoboken for a long time
took place on the St. George Cricket Grounds, Tuesday
afternoon, the contestants being Stevens Institute Team
and the Graduate Team composed of veteran players
from Yale, Princeton and Harvard. The Stevens boys,
who were on an average much smaller and many pounds
lighter than their opponents, expected defeat, but de-
termined to make the graduates work as hard as possible.
They played with such indomitable pluck and skill that
instead of being badly used up they forced the playing
throughout and won a splendid victory over the veteran
giants, who showed clumsiness, conspicuous lack of
training, and, in a few instances, much bad temper.
Three of them. Beck, Mcintosh and Harding, began
a bulldozing game at the start, and were the instigators
of all the roughness in the game. Two or three incip-
ient fights were prevented by the other players inter-
fering, after blows had been struck on both sides.
The Stevens boys never played better, either individu-
ally or as a team, and the result was a surprise not only
to the graduates and spectators, but to the victors them-
selves.
^^
LECTURE
DELIVERED BEFORE THE SENIOR CLASS OF
STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,
HOBOKEN, N. J., NOV. 18, 1881.
{jContinned.)
Mr. Allen was then shown a set of rules as
to the care of boilers, on which he commented
as follows :
The first refers to lighting fires. That is a
very important direction. That [after reading
further,] is one of the most important pieces
136
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
of advice that could be given. And yet I
have found, in cases where men thoroughly
understood their business, and had lighted
their fires hundreds of times, relying on the
fireman having filled the boiler the day before,
they have started their fires and burned and
twisted their boilers, through their omission to
examine the water gauge.
" Make sure [reading,] that all the valves
and cocks below the water line are shut, and
open the safety valve when convenient, and
keep the man-hole lid off until the water is
nearly boiling, in order to let the air out, and
to keep the boiler, if internally fired, as cool
above as possible until the bottom is heated."
That is an all important piece of advice.
These directions are new to me; I had not
seen them. But a number of explosions are
occurring every year from an accumulated
pressure in the boiler and an inoperative safety
valve. Safety valves are lowered to their
places when the boilers are put out of service
for some length of time for cleaning or repair-
ing or something of the kind ; and when the
steam is got up, no care is taken to see that
the safety valve is raised from its seat, and
under such circumstances, perhaps the man
being called away to some distant part of the
building, the safety valve refuses to perform
its functions ; it is set fast in its seat, and the
pressure is raised to a point at which explosion
occurs. It is remarkable how many explo-
sions occur from such causes. It is an excel-
lent precautionary measure each time a boiler
is put out of service, before all the pressure is
off the boiler, to raise the safety valve off its
seat and tie it up, if there is a pulley line lead-
ing from the fire room, or block it up if there is
not such a contrivance, until you get up steam
again, and that will give you an indication
of the formation of steam in the boiler, and
then the valve may be lowered to its place. I
think these directions are very good. I should
be disposed to indorse them to the fullest ex-
tent. Touching the rule as to cooling boilers
down, that advice is excellent, especially in
regard to those boilers which are set in brick
work. A great many boilers are injured every
year through not having been fired up for a
considerable length of time, and it has been
the practice quite recently in some parts of
the country to blow down the boilers under
the pressure, empty them, and the heat of the
brick work is communicated to the boiler and
distorts it, and there is immense strain on the
riveted seams. The boiler is put out of shape,
and whatever sediment or deposit in a soft
state there may be in the boiler is baked hard
like pottery, on its sides, so that the sharpest
kind of a tool is required to get it off. The
blowing down of boilers under pressure is one
of the most injurious things, and does more,
perhaps, tq shorten the lives of boilers than any
other one thing. The idea of all this is to
cool the boiler gradually. By doing that you
will avoid any rapid contraction. Sudden ex-
pansion and contraction are two of the great-
est sources of difficulty that we have to con-
tend with in boilers.
As to the direction respecting incrustation
remedies and priming, the overheating due to
the use of boiler scale compositions is prob-
ably through the carelessness of the attend-
ants who neglect opening the boiler and clear-
ing out such deposits as may be flaking off
from the tubes or the sides of the shell. It
accumulates in j^juantity on the fire sheets and
prevents the contact of water with the plate,
and bulging and overheating occur. Incrusta-
tion compounds are largely sold, and they are
recommended by a great number of people all
over the country, who claim to find them ex-
cellent things for removing scale and sedi-
ment deposit. So far as I know, the boiler
solvents are doing their work to-day. There
are a great many cases, like patent medicines,
in which people certify to the wonderful re-
sults achieved by certain preparations, but it
is very doubtful. In the City of New York,
for instance, and in our large cities where
aqueduct water is used, the water is compara-
tively pure. There is but little lime in it or
anything that will form a lime scale. What is
needed there is frequent opening of the boilers
to remove incrustation, and the neglect of
engineers to do that allows accumulations on
the shells and flues, and boiler compositions
are introduced for the purpose of freeing the
boiler from incrustations. It could, in most
cases, be done very well if men were allowed
sufficient time to attend to it. Oftentimes
they are not given sufficient time.
Questions of corrosion, incrustation and
such matters as are generally understood to
be largely open questions, are treated more in
detail in Mr. Wilson's book on boilers, than in
others. I think his book is as reliable in that
respect as could be expected from publications
touching these subjects. I have regarded
it in my own case, and I have heard it highly
spoken of. I regard it as the most reliable
book on boilers that I have any knowledge
of. It is a treatise which is the result of Mr.
Wilson's experience, I believe that, for a
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
137
number of years, he was the chief inspector of
the Manchester Steam Users* Association, and
what he treats of in his book are largely matters
that came within his own experience.
There is nothing better for general purposes
than a horizontal tubular boiler, where the water
is sufficiently pure. There are localities where
such a boiler cannot be profitably used. Scale
will accumulate, and the arrangement of tubes
inside the boiler is such that it is a difficult
matter to clean it, and the plain cylinder boiler
will last longer under such circumstances.
The Washington University, St. Louis, has just
put in a pair of horizontal tubular boilers, and
they sent me a sample of the water that they
use, which is so impregnated with earthy
matter that they first let it go through a settling
pan, and then force it through about forty feet
of hay to strain it for their use. All that ex-
pense must be put against what they could
do with the same water in a flue or a plain
cylinder boiler.
In most cases where the water has appeared
to be objectionable on account of such reasons
as have been described, it is customary to have
a tank or some receptacle where the water can
settle, and have the feed drawn off from the
upper part so that a settling will occur, and that
is cleaned out from time to time. Where they
use river waters, along the great rivers, the Miss-
issippi, Missouri, and those rivers where the
water is very muddy nearly all the time, great
care has to be taken.
When well built and taken care of, a hori-
zontal tubular boiler in any of our large cities
hereabout should last twenty years. It would
be necessary, perhaps, to renew a number of
the tubes, but the shell and head, and other
parts would be safe to use, if properly designed
and constructed, and properly managed and
used, for twenty years, and boilers have been
used for a period much longer than that.
I think very important information can
be obtained, and the proper remedial agents
applied to neutralize the effects of waters that
would injure the boiler, by analyzing the
waters and finding out what in them is in-
jurious. The company have believed that
to such an extent, that they have included in
their business a laboratory, and have invited
the insured from all over the country to send
samples of Vater that scales injuriously, so
that they may take the necessary precautions
to prevent the great accumulation of this scale
and any injury that may result from it. They
regard it as enough of an open question to set
to work and accumulate systematically the
1
analysis of waters in connection with the
known performance. Water is being sent
from the different parts of the country, and
I think that by the analysis of the water its
general conditions are obtained. That in-
formation, however, is not given to the public ;
it is given to the parties insured. They are
told whether the water contains ingredients
that would be likely to injure their boilers ;
and in many cases the report returned has in-
duced them to abandon promptly wells that
they put down to save the water tax. The
company make no charge for the analyzers
where the parties are insured. They assume
that their interest is more fully protected by
giving this advice, and that the safety of the
boiler is better assured.
( To be continued.)
-#-^
II^8IGA^9R GARB.
It seems a great pity that the Freshmen and
Sophomores cannot prohibit others from in-
truding into their coat room. The greater
part of last year the state of affairs was
the same. Even for a few days at the be-
ginning of this term a good lock was placed
upon the door and everything was supposed
to be all right ; but, after it had remained that
short time it was observed to have changed
localities — having exchanged its former posi-
tion for one at the window sill, with whose
assistance we know not. Should it prove to
be owing to the Sophomores and Freshmen
themselves— and the Sophomores are rather
a noisy, destructive crowd, while the Fresh-
men are always supposed to be rough by
reason of their very greenness and ignorance of
** what's what," — then we might just as well say
nothing and let them find out for themselves
that it is for their interest not to kick the
door open or rush against it six or a dozen at
a time. If it isn't their fault, then we would
respectfully draw to it the attention of the
one whose business is to see that such things
are kept in proper trim. We notice that both
the Junior and the Senior coat rooms are safe
from the invasions of intruders, and we ask
why such could not be the condition of things
in the Sophomores' and Freshmen's room.
One idea which we wish to suggest is to have
lockers — each student his own locker. This,
for many reasons which are obvious to all
students, would be a great convenience. The
lockers should be placed in the coat room ;
L
t38
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
and to have them, say, five feet high or long
(in case they shodld be made like drawers),
one and a half broad and one deep (such as
would accommodate an overcoat), would be
plenty large enough. Then, in this case, one
could put his T-square away for the summer or
for the short vacation, and it would thus be pro-
tected from the dust and dampness which is
quite necessary to do in order to keep a
T-square in anywhere near good order. Then,
again, hats would not be knocked about,
neither would they nor overcoats be taken by
another, in mistake, of course. Staples having
been fastened securely, each student would be
required to furnish his own padlock, thus
making himself alone responsible for the secu-
rity of his own effects. This, we think, would
be a cheap and effective plan ; and, if thought
advisable, a small rent could be charged, which
would soon compensate for the original out-
lay. Any action in this matter would please
the students. At least let us have the lock on
the door !
« ♦»»
R85FBS fren? the i>R0PBSSI0I^.
An electric headlight for locomotives has been
lately invented, and after a test of six months,
during which it has given great satisfaction, a
company has been formed at Akron, O., to
manufacture it. A three horse power rotary
engine, placed directly in front of the cab of
the locomotive, is supplied with steam from
the boiler. This furnishes power to a small
dynamo fastened to the foot board of the
locomotive at the left side, supplying the cur-
rent for the. light, which is equal to 2,000
candles. The mechanism of the lamp is kept
a secret.
The London and Northwestern Company
has made a progressive step in regard to rail-
way lighting in their Liverpool and Man-
chester line. The carriages are lighted by 20
candle Swan incandescent lamps, the current
being supplied by a dynamo run by a Brother-
wood engine on the 'tender, the steam supply
coming from the locomotive boiler. Each
compartment has a duplicate lamp, which is
lighted immediately should the other meet
with accident ; a regulator and lamp on the
foot plate places the train lights under control
of the engine driver. The American Engineer
suggests that the system is a clumsy arrange-
ment, and that it remains for American in-
genuity to supply some device, as compact
and self-contained as the Westinghouse air
brake pump, to be attached directly to the
locomotive. It also claims that the details of
a system of electric train lighting ought to
present less difficulties, in their working out,
than those encountered in the development of
the air brake, and, as a measure of con-
venience and safety, it is of next importance.
There is no doubt that American saloon
coaches offer special facilities for electric light-
ing as compared with compartment car-
riages.
The model of Capt. James B. Eads' pro-
posed Tehauntepec ship railway, on exhibition
in New York, has been visited and duly
admired by a number of the students from the
Institute. The model is in itself a beautiful
thing, and the arrangement is both interesting
and simple. A car, resting upon a great num-
ber of wheels, is run out upon a pontoon with
three pairs of rails which fit exactly to those
on the land. The pontoon is then submerged
by admitting water into it through sluice
gates, regulated from the top of two towers
attached to the deck of the pontoon, and be-
tween which there is sufficient width to allow
the ship to pass. The vessel to be trans-
ported is then brought over the pontoon
and held in the correct position over the
cradle on the car. A system of hydraulic
rams, forming part of the cradle, is brought
up against the ship and fitted exactly to
her shape ; in this position the water valve
admitting pressure to the rams is locked, so
that her weight is evenly supported from stem
to stern. The pontoon is now pumped out
until the level of the rails on deck corresponds
to that of the rails on land ; locomotives are
then backed down and fastened to the car,
and all is ready for the journey across the
land. Of course, curves of short radius would
be impracticable in the railroad, the minimum
radius of curvature allowed by the engi-
neers being 15 miles. Where the nature of
the country requires sharp curves, floating
turn tables are to be provided ; in the survey
of the proposed line five such points have
been found. These turn tables consist of
pontoons, somewhat similar to those used in
raising the ships, placed in segmental basins
sufficiently large for the pontoons to rotate
around several degrees of a circle, according
to the amount of deviation the direction of
the road may require. The proposed pon-
toons as designed are 450 feet long, 75 feet
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
139
wide, and 15 feet deep. The total len^ of
the railway, according to the survey, is 160
miles.
For the last two years experiments have
been making toward the warming of cars by
means of a heat giving liquid, which continues
for several hours to throw out heat with ap-
proximate regularity, for a time, depending
upon the original degree of heat imparted to
the liquid. The cars of the De Kalb Avenue
line, in Brooklyn, seventy in number, have
been heated by this system during the last
winter to the satisfaction of the company, and
presumably to that of the public. A large
iron pipe containing the compound passes
under each seat of the car ; through the cen-
tre of the pipe runs a smaller pipe, through
which steam is passed when it is desired to
heat the compound. When heat is applied to
the pip>es from a steam boiler in the station,
the crystals in the acetate of soda used are
liquefied, and remain so until the temperature
begins to fall perceptibly. Then the crystals
begin to form and the liquid throws out an
increased heat. A thermometer taking the
temperature of a pipe of the heated compound
shows that during the first hour or two there
is a slight fall of temperature, then a sharp rise
while crystallization takes place, and then a
gradual fall. A record of the temperature of
one car kept during twenty days showed that,
»fler each run of sixteen miles, the temperature
in the car was, upon an average, less than one
degree lower when the car returned lo the
station than when it started out. The cost of
beating cars by this system is said by the com-
pmy which controls the patents to be no
■nore than for stoves, while the heat is
pleasanter and the atmosphere is free from
gas and smoke. The compound in the pipes
will last for an indefinite number of years, for
ill that is known to the contrary, being her-
metically sealed. — Mtnir^ and Sdentific Press.
Mi. L. T. Goff, in an article on this subject
published in a recent number of i^t. American
Railroad Journal, holds that " railway " is a
better term than " railroad," " locomotive "
more exact than "engine," "station" than
"depot," " car " preferable to " carriage," and
"conductor" to "guard;" that"driver" is
better than " engineer," and " stoker " better
than " fireman."
We find the following in the Mechanical
l^inter for Jnne 28 : " The English govern-
ment recently appointed a commissioner to
visit this country and report upon the tech-
nological institutions, and after visiting them
personally the commissioner — Mr. William
Mather — says of the Stevens Institute; 'My
inspection of the school convinced me that,
for mechanical engineering alone, I had never
seen its superior. The theory and practice of
the science are never separated through the
four years' course. The name of Professor
Thurston is well known in the engineering
profession in England, and the fact that he
has charge of this department is a guarantee
for the training of the students in the princi-
ples of science, as well as in their application
lo mechanical construction.'"
The announcement to the effect that the
officers of the New York Elevated Railway
were ready to consider electricity as a motive
power for their trains, has excited much in-
terest among inventors and scientitic men.
The design seems to be to investigate what
claims electricity in a financial as well as a
mechanical point of view has for locomotion,
andby experimental trials of different designs
to promote the development of the electric
motor. There are a great many complaints
against the elevated roads at present in re-
gard to noise, smoke and steam, dropping
water and falling ashes, all of which would be
entirely corrected by use of electricity. We
think that here is an excellent opportunity for
bringing before the public mind the subject
of electricity as a power in locomotion, just as
the popular interest has been awakened
in regard to electric lighting. It electricity is
to be the motive power of the future, the
sooner inventors are engaged to perfect their
ideas and let others have the results of their
investigations, the sooner will the problem be
solved.
A master key has been exhibited at the Wol-
verhampton Exhibition, England, which is
capable of opening 22,600 patent lever locks.
Each lock may be different in its wards and
combinations. The key .weighs three ounces,
and is nickel plated. It has taken the inven-
tor three years to complete the drawings of
the different wards and combinations, which
enabled this extraordinary product of human
ingenuity to be made. Master keys capable
of opening 100 ditTerent locks have been
known to the trade for manyyears, but nothing
has approached this key before, — Ex.
140
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
P^^UeSFIGS.
LAFAYETTE VS. STEVENS —NOV. 15, 1884, AT
EASTON, PA.
Lafayette's players were :
Rushers : Frey, Young, Reeder, Rohrbach,
Wiley, Zerr and Wells.
Quarter Back : Hannue.
Half Backs : Pridgeon and Updegrove.
Full Back : Beatty.
Captain Baldwin tried an experiment in
placing his men, and many errors and much
loose playing was the result, due principally
to the lack of practice of the players in their
new positions. Campbell played in the rush
line, Cotiart and Kletzsch half backs, and
Baldwin quarter back, the other places being
filled as usual. Both Kletzsch and Cotiart
made several good runs, but the ground gained
was almost immediately lost by errors.
In spite of the fact that the sun was in the
faces of their opponents and that Stevens
played down hill, Lafayette succeeded in
scoring and Stevens failed. When the ball
was near Stevens* goal line. Wells made a
touch down, but the trial for goal failed. When
time was called, the ball was within ten yards
of Lafayette's goal, having been carried there
by Cotiart and Kletzsch.
In the second half Healey played quarter,
Baldwin and Campbell half, Cotiart and
Kletzsch going into the rush line. After
several short runs by Baldwin, Kletzsch
caught the ball a little back of Lafayette's
twenty-five yard line and made a fine long
kick, scoring a goal from the field. Runs by
Glasgow and Kletzsch took the ball within ten
yards of Lafayette's goal line, and Baldwin
forced it through, made a touch down and
kicked a goal. Forcing by Kletzsch and Bur-
horn and a short run by Glasgow again took
the ball in front of Lafayette's goal posts and
Cotiart made a touch down, Baldwin kicking
the goal from it. Wiley kicked the ball from
the centre of the field, behind Stevens' goal
line, where Adriance touched it down. It was
set in play with a short kick by Dilworth.
Healey caught it and ran to Lafayette's
twenty-five yard line, when time was called.
Score: Stevens, 17 ; Lafayette, 4.
LAFAYETTE VS. STEVENS — NOV. 27, 1884, AT
HOBOKEN.
The teams were composed as follows :
Lafayette— Rushers : Frey, Young, Wells,
Rohrbach, Zerr, Iverton and Reeder.
Quarter Back : Hannue.
Half Backs : Pridgeon and Davidson.
Full Back : Beatty.
Stevens — Rushers : Cotiart, Burhom, Dil-
worth, Kletzsch, Hart, McCoy and Greene-
baum.
Quarter Back : Healey.
Half Backs : Baldwin and Campbell.
Full Back : Adriance.
In the second half Baldwin took Healey 's
place as quarter back, and Johnson played
half back.
Stevens had much the best of the game,
making twelve touch downs, from five of which
goals were kicked — 58 points to Lafayette's o.
Greenebaum made 2 of the touch downs,
Healey i, Kletzsch 3, Hart i, Baldwin 2,
Johnson 2 and Cotiart i. Baldwin and
Kletzsch did good forcing, Johnson and
Cotiart made several good runs, and the
rushers got down on the ball better than usual.
The only time the ball was near Stevens' goal
line Cotiart caught it, when it was thrown to
Lafayette's end rush, and passing the half
and full back, ran the whole length of the
field and made a touch down. Mr. Schultz,
of Yale, was referee. Mr. Swift acted as
umpire for Lafayette and Mr. Munkwitz for
Stevens.
On Tuesday, Nov. 18, at Hoboken, Stevens
played a team consisting of graduates of Yale,
Harvard and Princeton, and proved too much
for the veterans who, besides not being posted
in the changes which the game has undergone
since most of them graduated, lacked training
and team practice ver)' much. Two or three
of their players commenced a bulldozing
game, and if later on they were used rather
roughly they have only themselves to blame.
The referee, Mr. Brown, of Yale, was, like the
members of the graduate team, very much be-
hind the times, as his decisions and failure to
warn men for offside play indicated. In the
first half, Stevens made 11 points, a goal from
the field in fine style by Campbell, and a touch
down by Cotiart, from which Baldwin kicked
a goal. In the second half, Healey scored a
touch down for Stevens, and one for the
Graduate team, the final score being Stevens,
15 ; Graduate team, 4.
The alumni resident in and about Baltimore
are considering the idea of forming a Stevens
Alumni Association of Maryland, and of having
a meeting and banquet each year, at som.*
time during the winter.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
141
SIPUFBII^6 Bex.
Junior shop work is at a discount.
Our waste paper basket — where is it, please ?
You can't read a French fable out loud and
eat chewing gum at the same time.
" Reddish red," a new shade suggested by
a Junior for a substance in chemistry.
Don't buy your books for next term until
the Faculty announce the vacancies.
Why don't the Freshies do something to
distinguish (or extinguish) themselves?
" Continuosity " is the last straw that broke
the Campbell's back. Send him a dictionary.
Perpetual Motion — " Well, sir, now, sir, I
can tell you, sir, all about perpetual motion.
SIT,
" Perpetual Motion " thinks of buying a
whitewash brush to line in his "eclipses"
with.
Birdsall, '86, has been taking some very good
photographs of his class. Other classes need
not apply.
The new skating rink will be a great feature
this winter to the unconditioned. Be sure
and get season tickets.
Why do Engineer Roebling and " Jack
Frost " resemble each other ? Because they
are both bridge contractors.
A friend of one of the editors exclaimed :
"Did you really go up town last evening
to see Miss in those knee breeches of
yours ?"
We hope the holidays will be a season for
refreshing exhausted brains, and that there
^ be more contributions to The Indicator
when college reopens.
Freshmen ! The Faculty will be ** at home "
for one week commencing Dec. 11. Food for
thought will be furnished during the day
from 9 a. m. to 4 p. m.
The course in moulding has the one great
feature of giving those so inclined an oppor-
tunity to play in the sand — the other advan-
tages will be referred to when noted.
Our worthy janitor has kindly furnished the
Board with a neat P. O. Box. This is a great
help to us; it acts as a home for our exchanges
which otherwise would wander indiscrimi-
nately among the students.
Why does not '87 petition the Faculty for
something ? The class is fast losing the repu-
tation of Sophomores. Try a petition for a
gymnasium. It wo;i*t amount to anything, of
course, but just petition at any rate.
A member of *88 extinguished himself the
other day by telling the Prof, that language
originated in the "owld counthry." Notice
of wake hereafter. Whiskey and tobacco
promised as inducements to attend.
Scene — Prof. C.'s room — Monday morning.
T. K., at the blackboard, gets problem right
by mistake. When told of it he staggers and
winks both ears. Falls into a chair, lost in
wonder. (Sneaky music by the class.)
A man who wanted trains on an Illinois
railroad to stop near his farm, put up a sign,
" Run Slow," on a culvert. This worked very
well for four years, until some one got tired of
running slow, and discovered the fraud.
** Jumbo," the Black, our janitor's constant
friend, who held a large place in our affec-
tions, has gone. We suppose " James Donald-
son," the yellowish yellow dog, has been
substituted to take the wire edge off our
grief.
'87 feels that it is much honored by the
presence of Vanderbilt among its number?.
He matriculated under the pseudonym of
Bandaret, but his incognito has at last been
disclosed by our professor, who " is curious
about names.'*
It was in the Literature class :
Prof. — " Mr. Blank, was there any other
species of poetry during this period ? "
Mr. Blank (who was out the previous even-
ing and has gotten things somewhat mixed) —
" Oh, yes ; there were ballets ! "
"Gouging and biting" are the only exer-
cises prohibited by foot ball rules, and they
ought to be, too, because when you hit a man
you only knock a tooth out or break a collar
bone, but to bite or gouge is ungentUmanly
and rough. Next year's team will probably
wear brass knuckles.
I4i
THE STEVE MS INDICATOR.
The college pin subject is in the hands of a
committee, some few of which are working up
designs In *86 one committeeman apparently
is doing all the work, and we would recommend
that one of the inactives be replaced by Mr.
King, who was the originator of the idea for
having a college pin.
" Everlastings," otherwise known as Per-
petual Motion, completed an eclipse the other
day, of which he was very proud. Some kind
friend stole it, and being unable to get the
keys of the bulletin board, posted the paper in
a conspicuous position, to the infinite amuse-
ment of the rest of the class.
Isn't it strange ? By beating a poor team
composed of graduates from several colleges
who had never played together before, and
some of whom had not played within four
years, Stevens has made more stir this season
than any other college except, perhaps, Yale
and Princeton in their big fight Thanksgiving
day.
It is a delightful sensation of doubtful
pleasure and satisfaction which comes over one
in the Chemical Laboratory when he takes a
bottle labelled " dilute acid " and pours a few
drops of the dilute acid on a filter and sees the
paper and substance he is working with both
disappear. Such things occur in the labora-
tory, and a whole afternoon's work is lost
through some one's carelessness.
The Glee Club has organized, with Mr.
Camp of Wesleyan, as leader, and with the
following members: First Tenors — Cotiart,'86;
Fuchs, '86; Smith, '87; McElroy, '87. Second
Tenors— Baldwin, '85; Lilly, '86; Morton, '86;
Crisfield, '87; Flack, '87. First Basses— E. Bur-
horn, 85; Coker, '88; Fuller, '88; McLean, '88.
Second Basses — N. McLean, '85; Clerk, '85;
Hart, '87; H. Hubbard, '88.
A new branch of engineering is being inau-
gurated with the Freshmen in Prof. Mac-
Cord's department. It is the laying out of
race courses. The designs produced are ex-
cellent ; indeed, it is acknowledged by fre-
quenters of the turf that courses of elliptical
form are the best. Such is the conclusion that
one arrives at after seeing some ellipses, so
called, constructed by Freshmen evidently
unsparing of ink.
The prevailing fashion this winter, accord-
ing to one in authority, is thus disclosed during
a conversation. Scene — High Life. First
Young Lady (criticising friend's taste, empha-
tically)— " Well, I shall wear nothing but linen
collars and cuffs." Second Young Lady —
" Well, I expect to use nothing but lace this
winter." And the weather prophets all pre-
dict " cold winter" too. Can't the Legislature
interfere ?
We have all enjoyed Thanksgiving, every-
one of us, including our worthy janitor. His
turkey must have grown in richer fields than
those of Jersey, for it has left unmistakable
marks behind that would lead us to suppose
the turkey had tried to eat our worthy janitor.
Still we are in error, for o. w. janitor states
that his turkey positively was "cooked brown,"
and that " a stone fell up from the roof and
hit him in the face." Strange !
It is reported that the students will be pro-
hibited from taking machines apart, and that,
from this time on, all machine sketches will
have to be made from patterns and from
models. This, we fear, will take away that
interest which is always invested in a machine
if we know it is a real one, and which mere
"mummies" cannot sustain. Then, too,
patterns are always made purposely a trifle
too large, hence accuracy of proportions could
not be attained.
The Sophs are very much pleased with
Prof. Kroeh's final French examination, since
they become quite proficient as copyists in
transcribing from the Comptes Rendus that
which each one is to translate. We think
greater satisfaction would result if students
were allowed to take any books, except those
which could not be replaced, from the library,
to be returned within a given time, for our
library is not what a library should be; it is
simply a thoroughfare, and a dimly lighted
one at that, even for this purpose, not to speak
of the former.
We do not understand why the building should
be flooded with sulphuretted hydrogen. Of
course, we are rather fond of the pleasing odor,
but to the uninitiated entering our halls it would
seem to be a needless waste of " fragrance."
We are not allowed the use of th e gas genera-
tor in the basement, for the reason that it is in-
adequate to the demands of difew students, yet
the whole building can be surcharged with the
soothing mixture, and the generator, when
visited after the lower rooms had signified a
plenty and the upper floors were receiving
their share, was as lively as -ever, and showed
a willingness to force the roof off if given time.
TH£ STEVENS INDICATOR.
Hi
FBRSe^AUS.
'8 1
A. C. Humphreys was elected a member of
the American Society of Mechanical Engineers
at their recent meeting held in New York.
'84.
W. S. Aldrich had charge of the Ball En-
gine exhibit at the recent Electrical Exhi-
bition in Philadelphia.
J. A. Bensel is with the Engineer Corps of
the Pennsylvania R. R. in the Maintenance of
Way Department at Jersey City.
A. Faber du Faur, Jr., is with Van Sant-
vobrd & Hanff, patent attorneys, 41 Park
Row, N. Y. City.
R. C. Fearn will have charge of the ex-
hibit of the Atlanta Engineering Co. at the
New Orleans Exposition.
W. H. Pierce, Jr., is with the Philadelphia,
Wilmington & Baltimore R.R. at Wilmington,
Del.
Kenneth Torrance is in the Testing De-
partment of the Worthington Pump Works, in
Brooklyn.
W. S. TuTTLE is with the Ferracule Ma-
chine Co. at Bridgeton, N. J.
Lyall, Morris, Rea and Wurts are in
Germany, and have constituted Hanover as
their place of rendezvous.
-♦-♦■
exGgB^SBS.
The American Engineer of Nov. 21 has
a comprehensive discussion of the " New
Standard of Horse Power of Boilers," which
all should familiarize themselves with. In the
time of Watt, the figure was one cubic foot of
water evaporated per hour, that amount being
fully adequate to develop a horse power in the
steam engine of that time. Since that date,
however, engines have been greatly improving,
until at the present time about thirty pounds
of steam per hour per horse power only is
needed in a good non -condensing engine. The
standard since 1876 has been the evaporation
of thirty pounds of water with dry steam from
feed water at 100 degrees Fahr., and under a
pressure of seventy pounds per square inch
above the atmosphere.
The standard recommended by the com-
mittee of the Society of Mechanical Engineers
on Boiler Trials, is the equivalent of an evap-
oration of 34i pounds of water from feed
water at 212 degrees Fahr.' into steam at the
same temperature.
In the same journal is given an abridged re-
port of U. S. Testing Board, Prof. R. H.
Thurston, Chairman, on alloys of copper, zinc
and tin. The original report contains sixty
printed pages covered with tables of the tests
of each alloy.
The Amateur Mechanics, a London ex-
change, is a thirty-five page journal full of in-
teresting and instructive matter in language
intended to be understood by all. Its nu-.
merous illustrations are a sign of enterprise
and prosperity.
Among the college journals the exchange
editor finds a large mass of books of various
forms and colors, and of variable merit. The
stock of personals and locals are, of course,
little intended to interest those outside, so
they are hastily scanned. Occasionally a good
article is hit upon.
The Amherst Student has a funny man who
had discovered a way to encourage contribu-
tors to the paper. He offers two dollars for the
funniest article handed to him before the next
issue. We fear it will come to this before The
Indicator gets many contributions from
alumni or students.
Another Chronicle tells us all about affairs
at Ann Arbor, Mich.
-•-♦♦►•^
G6UUB6B WeRUB.
Harvard. — A new club, called the Shakes-
peare Club, has recently been formed. All
the studies are now elective. The question
of compulsory attendance at morning prayers
is again agitated.
144
THE STEVENS INDICA TOR.
Yale. — There will be two weeks recess at
Christmas instead of three, as fonnerly; but
to make up for this, Commencement comes a
week earlier. One of the studies taken by
the Senior class is considered so difficult by
the instructor, that he has given them per-
mission to use "skinning papers."
Princeton. — A plan is on fool to give a
course of twelve entertainments, consistmg of
lectures, readings and concerts, during the
coming winter; for this purpose a theatre has
been secured.
Cornell. — Mr. Hiram Sibley has again
come forward with pecuniary assistance for
the University. A series of shops is in pro-
cess of erection. The work done in these
shops will be practical, and some of the articles
made by the students will be sold, thus making
the shops partly self-supporting. In addition
there will be a mechanical laboratory to be
used in testing materials, etc. For a fuller
account of the shops, we refer to the American
Engineer. The Freshmen, with the ap-
proval of the Juniors, have published a resolu-
tion condemmng cane rushes.
In General. — A Chinese girl is studying
at the Ohio Wesleyan University. Of eight
^200 scholarships recently awarded at Cornell,
four went to lady students. With the ex-
ception of Harvard, the Mass. Institute of
Technology has the largest Freshman class of
any college, The legislative body of Ireland
has desired to open next year a Public Insti-
tute of Ireland. Out of 1,500 students at
Oberlin, last year, only one took the scientific
course. Some of the students of the Uni-
versity of Michigan are asking for the organi-
zation of a battalion and the appointment of
an army officer to instruct them. At Queen's
College, Kingston, students are not allowed to
recite or attend lectures unless clad in the
prescribed academic gown. Brown is to
have an ^0,000 gymnasium, and Exeter, one
costing $50,000.
OBrPPIRES.
A posteriori reasoning; " Dear me," gasped
Mrs. Knowall, " there is a terrible item in the
paper. My, how the poor man must have
suffered !"
" What is it ?" asked her husband, coming
to her side.
" Why, one of these poor walknifia
fellows swallowed a sponge."
" What ! Let me see !"
After carefully reading the article 1
threw the paper down, growling ;
" You women ain't got a grain of sense ; it .
don't say he swallowed a sponge."
" I know it don't in those exact wordi,**
answered his wife, then brightly coatinue^ 1
" but how could he throw up the sponge if be \
didn't swallow it?"
— Specvimn
Visitor — "Does not smoking interfere wiUl|
drawing?" Draughtsman — " Oh, no! In ord
to smoke I have to draw."
Professor in Systematic Theology-
is the lesson to-day, gentlemen ? " Studtent-
" It begins at good aifgels and goes to ^
devil."— .£*.
AN UNKISSED RISSL
1 wished — if 1 odIt had dared.
Sbe f lanUy bcid out bei tmall tkutd ;
And I know Ihal she mnildii't have carid.
But I didn't have quite enough " Mnd."
I was making my fiicwell call.
For B moment I held her imall huid ;
■' (iood night, Miss Pauline "—thai wa* aU.
Do you think that she wnold have cared?
I wish — if I only had dared.
—Rttord.
" I wish you were taller," said a lady ti
famous actor, Garrick. " Madam," uid li^jj
" I should be very happy to stand hi^iet m
your estimation." — £x.
When a man sets about painting the t
red, he very rarely uses water colors.— Zi/*,
Teacher — "Feminine of friar?" Fim/^
Bright Boy — " Hasn't any." Second Bri|^ 1
Boy—" Nun." Teacher—" That's ri^it.
First Bright Boy—" That's just what I ' * "*
— Harper's.
Hark \ and oh hear, the piano i> b ^ ^
(Sonnet and canticle, chant and k'm)-^
The fellow upstairs his guitar is a-lwanging.
The children are ungiDg a jubilee.
Ju«.| over the way iher?B a banjo. I think.
With its " Pink-a-punk-pank, punk, pink, paok, pimk ;"
And down at the comer (he man with the Hate
Is rending the night with a tootle-too-loot
And 00m pah-pab, 00m pah-pah, bia-a, bra-a, boc
The lira** band is practising up In itaraom.
THE STFl'FtfH INDICATOR.
I
Stevens Institute of Technolog)j
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING,
FOUNDED BY THE LATE EDWIN A, STEVENS.
— *i —
HOBOKEN. N I
13. E. i
f A- RlL
UENRT UORTON. Ph- D..
ALFRFn r, MAYSR, Ph. D
ROBET' ' ■' -- .— ,.T .
OE V.:-
c w
ALBE
■ CHA
^H REV
ixi-
Plmr-,.r
E'roC at ExpenmcDUl Mrcluutiu kodjT
I&atructoT va U«d^
■ ■ r of M*Hin* Enclcc^rlnt «sd ln*trritror fc Msrt
H. MORTON. Hcbolcon
V
STEVENS HIGH SCHO(
THE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT
STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,
RiyER STREET, bet. Sth and 6th. HOBOKEN. .V ..
OPENS SEPTEMBER 17. 1884.
ZumlniUDRH roi Admlaelan ul Uie IStb and I6ib ot Sft^.«ii<u«
iNSTRUCTIOit CTVEN IN THE ANCIENT AND MODERN UNGUAQES: i:
HAND AND MECHANICAL DRAWING
^
JUNIOK DEPARTMENT,
SEHIOM OepARTMENT,
900.00 PER ANMUm
SISO.OO PER AMNUNI
For CftUJSCUM *PPiy ^ K^- Mtinrlan ot EU)T«n*
k?
THE S TE VENS INDICA TOR.
This condition of affairs could not long
continue. Revolution was inevitable. The
'revival of learning began , and with it there
arose a few great men, who, by their bold op-
position to time honored bigotry, were to wm
from future generations that proudest of all
names — the name of hero. Copernicus was
the first, and his dying legacy to men was a
firebrand which Galileo caught up and hurled
into the very centre of the Vatican. This set
the world on fire. A new truth had been dis-
covered, the infallibility of the church had
been shattered and science had begun. In
vain the Pope coaxed and threatened, banned
and anathematized. In vain the Inquisition
performed 'its horrid work. All these were
but passing hindrances to the resistless ad-
~vance of the newly founded truth. Men must
think, and intellect must be free.
It is a remarkable fact that new truths have
always begun as heresies. Science, as well as
religion, has her long list of martyred heretics;
as Galileo had to suffer for preaching the im-
pious doctrine that the earth moves, so all
great leaders in science, from this day to the
present time, have been forced to endure some
form of martyrdom. Their lives have been
self sacrificing and heroic, and the tardy hon-
ors of the world have generally been bestowed
only upon their memories. Such men were
Harvey and Jenner ; the one, for his discov-
ery of the circulation of blood, persecuted to
poverty and death ; the other, after his great
discovery of vaccination, regarded by his
former associates with loathing, as but little
better than a brute. It was this spirit of hero-
ism that guided the helm of Captain Cook's
little vessel as she bore the bold sailor through
unexplored seas from pole to pole. It was
this spirit that sustained the hearts of Living-
stone and Stanley while facing the death
charged wilds of Africa, and it was this spirit
that led Layard and Rawlinson to brave the
malarial dangers of their antiquarian exhuma-
tions in the Orient. The illustrious Darwin,
regarded by ecclesiastics of every sect as a
kind of scape goat for the whole human race,
denounced, ridiculed, spurned from pulpit and
platform, for long years in bold defiance of
public prejudice, continued his toilsome search
for truth, and to-day the thinking world hon-
ors him for it and builds monuments to his
heroic memory. But we need not leave home
for examples,when each day we are reminded by
that airy structure floating gracefully between
our two cities, of one from whose strength and
health and life, it may be, its fabric has been
woven. You may search the pages of history,
ancient, mediaeval and modem, and from every
chapter, from every page, this idea will con-
front you — the men of science are all heroes.
The spirit of this mighty phalanx rivals that
of Sparta. Trials, deprivation, torture, death
are the hardships by which they have won
their victories.
But what has this heroism accomplished?
It has by a persistent effort overcome this op-
position which so long retarded it. It has
converted religion from hostility to friendship,
and, by acting as a ^eat commentary on the
Bible, has rendered mvaluable service to the
cause of divine truth. By the aid of this light
we are enabled to see more clearly the great-
ness of the divine mind, and to form some
slight conception of the sublimity of God's
provision for man. But it is in material results
that most has been accomplished. There is
scarcely a convenience or a comfort that dis-
tinguishes the civilized present from the bar-
barous past that is not due to the heroic ef-
forts of science. Even that which we most
frequently ascribe to nature, is only nature
harnessed by the scientist to do our bidding.
But the best example of the results of sci-
ence is the nineteenth century itself. Living
as we do in an age of activity, we are not dis-
posed to sit calmly down and institute com-
parisons between the centuries. Yet, without
comparison, we are conscious that we live in an
age of marvels paralleled only by the age of
Hebraic miracles. Indeed, it is safe to say
that the triumphs of science in the last seventy
years are greater than the combined scientific
achievement of all the preceding ages of man.
What better proof does this assertion need
than the events that are occurring every day
around us in the application of electricity to
the common affairs of life ? In a word, science
is the grand impetus that impels mankind.
It is a trite saying that * to-morrow never
comes." What we now designate as to-morrow,
when it comes, is called to-day. And so it is
in science. The continuity of its progress is
unbroken. The dreams of the past are re-
alized in the present : the unsolved mysteries
of this generation will become commonplace
facts in the next. But the men of science are
ever looking onward and upward into that
time which lies beyond,where the goal of their
hopes may yet be reached ; and they are led
by a guiding star, whose light, as steadfast as
truth and as pure as religion, must sometime
illumine the world.
C.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
WHEN I FIRST CAME TO STEVENS.
Some one has said that a person can live
for years at a place and yet will not notice
things which seem very prominent to a stranger.
It seems as if habit dulls the faculty of per-
ception and contrast sharpens it. In proof of
this let one of our acquaintances, whom we
have been accustomed to see with turned down
collar and moustache, come out the next day
with a cuff around his neck and '' sideboards "
on his cheeks, how promptly this change will
be noticed! or else, let your lady friend forget
to " put on " her false teeth — do you mean to
say that you would not " catch on " immedi-
ately ? Of course I know very well that you
would be polite enough not to let her see that
you find something missing, but still — you are
not blind!
So it was with me. Coming from the every-
day life of the world, I could see on being
launched, so to speak, in your midst, many
things ivhich no doubt have been passed over
by you as deserving no attention. You re-
minded me of the ignorant barbarian, who
looks up to the sky, not at all surprised to find
there the glorious sun apparently gliding on
gently to yonder blue mountain chain; it is so
natural^ people say, that it is hardly worth
while glancing at. I was, like the inhabitant
of some distant star, suddenly dropped on our
earth. What I saw and noticed I shall im-
part to you.
First of all, there was that building, mas-
sive, heavy, simple! The architect of those
fough hewn stones evidently thought that
** beauty unadorned was adorned the most."
Still, I know not why, the structure looked to
me like a stronghold, a fort or a monastery.
It required very little imagination to fancy
those colossal embankments " peopled " with
cannons and similar toys. But lo! it could
not be a fort nor a cloister; now, indeed, I
thought of a lunatic asylumn, for on a green
lawn a wild assemblage of wilder folks were
torturing what seemed to me a rather large
watermelon. One of the fellows, trying to
stop the rebellious watermelon, was knocked
down, and soon lay buried under a pile of
other kicking individuals, all of whom were
anxious to deal that poor watermelon a blow.
Not seeing any keepers around, I naturally
concluded, after some hesitation, that the
house was not an asylum. Then at last I saw
various books strewed all over the field, and
five young men on the stoop with " Tam
O'Shanters," whose (not the T. O'S.'s) chief
characteristic was — a paper cigarette, which
facts convinced me beyond a doubt that the
building was the place I sought for. Muster-
ing up courage, I stepped in to look around.
The first thing that struck my view was an
old coffin in the corner with a narrow hole at
the top, and closed by a huge padlock. (This
I was told was the letter box). Right next to
it I saw something white on the wall; looking
nearer I found that it was a bulletin board,
probably made of wood. I say probably be-
cause all I could distinguish was the beauti-
ful tapestry of boarding house advertisements.
There was also a so-called rooster^ which gave
the names of all the professors, with numbers
after every one of them (probably marks for
deportment). I found out also that some-
body had a set of drawing instruments for
sale, and other very interesting matter.
Opposite the door is a small staircase,
which leads down to the — well, I was afraid
to descend, so that I cannot tell you. The
door of the chemical laboratory was closed
at the time, so that I escaped uninjured
to the so-called library. Books there were,
indeed, stored away in beautiful order in the
cases, and on the shelves, but the five Tam
O'Shanters with the cigarettes had in the mean-
while left off their amusing operation of gap-
ing at the passers by, and had seated themselves
in romantic groups on the tables and on the
chairs. How kind it was of the builder to fas-
ten these chairs and tables with immovable
patent bolts to the floor ! for the mere thought
of a cigarette, I mean a Tam O'Shanter, with
his feet high up in the air, and balanced on a
shaky chair, makes my hair stand on end.
Suddenly a fire alarm was sounded. The
men ran in from the lawn, and prepared them-
selves, not to extinguish the fire, because there
was none, but to go to their respective recita-
tions. Soon the Tam O'Shanters disappeared,
leaving only gas and smoke behind them, and
I was left alone with the books.
Now the door of the laboratory was slowly
opened, a small boy looked cautiously around,
and finding no one stepped boldly out drag-
ging a j^«//<fr dog as big as himself. An elderly
bare faced professor (at least that is what I
thought he was, but found out later th«t he was
the son of O'W. Donald the Great) was kind
enough to open the door with an important air
for the dog and the boy, and then to go away
his head bowed down, his hands dangling at
his side with an uncertain motion, and with his
feet sometimes apparently getting in his way.
In a tone of voice that would have been
i
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
musical had it not been out of tune, thrice he
called out solemnly: "Oh, George! George!
George! " And echo answered — ^but you know
what echo always answers, don't you ?
That day I did not get any further than the
library, so that my tale of one day is told. If
you want to hear the others, you will have to
wait till the next Indicator appears.
Expecting that you will buy up all the
copies in advance, I humbly inform you that
I am a Fresh Man.
« # » »
JUSTICE TO STOVES.
In the fall the rural householder brings
forth the stove from its six months' imprison-
ment, and with fear and trembling undertakes
the dangerous task of putting it up. Few
fatal stove casualties are reported by the press,
but the sudden and enormous increase in the
demand for arnica and divorces, which is
shown by the records of rural druggists and
rural courts, and which occurs every fall, is a
sad proof of the danger which menaces the
man who grapples with a large and violent
stove.
There is a melancholy sameness in the man-
ner in which the stove displays its unwilling-
ness to be handled by man. Like the scor-
pion, which argues with its tail, the stove uses
its articulated pipe as its instrument of attack
and defence: So long as the householder
confines himself to carrying the stove from
place to place, it rarely attacks him, but no
sooner does he meddle with its pipe than its
fury is aroused. His first effort is to connect
the lower joints of the pipe with one another,
and here he is met by a determined obstinacy
which is worthy of an independent and self-
poised pig, or even of an experienced army
mule. The joints refuse to come together,
and bend all their energy toward gratifying a
fiendish thirst for fingers. Sometimes, after a
long struggle, the wrong joints are forced
together, and when the householder discovers
his mistake, they refuse to be separated except
at the price of more blood and additional
scraps of cuticle. Nothing but cool bravery
and det^fmined perseverance will succeed in
properly joining the three lower joints of a
stove pipe, and when this victory has been
won, the worst of the battle is yet to come.
It is not until the householder has mounted
a step ladder, and undertakes to place the
upper " elbow " on the pipe and to insert it in
the chimney, that the strength, activity and
malignity of the stove pipe is fully displayed.
Its favorite feat is to release itself suddenly
from the hands of its antagonist, strike his
foot with its whole weight and its sharpest
edge, and then to roll on the floor in evident
convulsions of joy. Occasionally the upper
"elbow" makes a vicious plunge for the
householder's head, and instances are on
record in which it has violently torn his nose
from its foundation or driven its fangs deep
into his skull. Efforts to subdue it with clubs
or hanmiers are seldom effective. Usually
the more the stove pipe is pounded the more
unruly it becomes, and the more resolutely it
refuses to enter the chimney hole or to adhere
to the stove.
Startling as the assertion may seem, it is by
no means certain that these terrible conflicts
are necessary, or that mankind cannot live on
peaceable terms with stoves and stove pipes.
It is an assumption, which is unsustained by
satisfactory evidence, that the stove is neces-
sarily untamable.
There is good reason to believe that were
the stove treated kindly and intelligently, it
would become as harmless as the grate or the
furnace.
Professional stove fanciers who deal in
stoves never have any difl&culty with them,
and can always put up a stove without exciting
it to the slightest demonstration of hostility.
The average householder is probably, to a very
great extent, responsible for the violence and
bad temper of which he accuses the stove.
He keeps it during the summer in close con-
finement, where it mentally rests and naturally
grows morose. He does not make himself
familiar with it and accustom it to be han-
dled, but relies wholly upon his brute strength
to keep it in subjection. Moreover, it must
not be forgotten that when he mounts the
step ladder for the decisive struggle, he is
almost invariably hot and excited. The
presence of his wife, who stands near the foot
of the ladder, expressing those mild and im-
practicable views as to the uses of the ham-
mer, which are so characteristic of her sex,
and so well adapted to madden the other, has
also its share in increasing his nervousness
and in rendering him unfit to deal with his
difficult task. In these circumstances he is
apt to resort to hard and violent treatment
where it is not needed, and he ought not to
wonder if he thereby excites the fear and re-
sentment of which he subsequently complains.
The mere fact that when a man is standing on
a step ladder with a stove pipe in his arms, he
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
betrays a readiness to undervalue his wife's
intellect, and to accuse her of "everlasting
chattering," speaks volumes as to his state of
mind. The disasters incident to the season
of putting up stoves are proofs, not of the
wildness of stoves, but of the irritability
of husbands, and it may be safely asserted
that an irritable man is unfit to deal with
stoves or with any domestic animals. Let us
then, instead of persistently treating the stove
as though it were the inveterate enemy of the
race, try the effect of kindness and gentleness.
Weeks before the stove is to be put up,
the pipe should be brought out and accus-
tomed to the presence of the family. Its joints
should be allowed to lie on the rug or under
the table, and from time to time they should
be gently brought into contact, so as to accus-
tom them to their approaching duty. When
the hour for putting up the stove arrives, the
householder should send his wife out of town,
and after engaging a large Irishman with a club
to remain within call in case of any extreme
violence on the part of the stove, he should
proceed to put it up alone. Possibly this
course of treatment might fail of securing the
desired end, but at all events it is worth try-
ing. The assumption that intelligent men
cannot live in peace with stoves is simply dis-
graceful, and all humane persons should be
anxious to prove its falsity without delay.
W. L. Alden,
" Domestic Explosives."
« ♦ » »
ei^sr^BBRiF^s i^eiFes.
The Rockaway Electrical Railroad Com-
pany has been recently incorporated, and a
survey for the proposed line has been made
between Far Rockaway and Rockaway Beach,
which makes the length of the road about five
miles. The road is expected to be opened
for travel by the first of July; contracts for
building are soon to be made, and the work will
be commenced immediately after. It is in-
tended to lay the rails on an iron super-
structure, similiar to that of the New York
elevated railway.
One of the largest stationary engines in the
world is the pumping engine "President," at
the Friedensville zinc mines, Lehigh County,
Pennsylvania. It is run with sixteen boilers,
and develops 5,000 horsepower, raising 17,500
gallons of water every minute. The engine
runs with extreme smoothness, making seven
revolutions per minute. The cylinder is no
inches in diameter, and the piston rod
eighteen inches in diameter, with a ten foot
stroke ; the sweep rod is forty feet long. The
boilers consume twenty-eight tens of coal every
day.
The American Engineer gives a report of an
interview with President Morton, in which he
concurs in the general conclusion that the
scheme to substitute electricity for steam as a
motive power on the lines of the Manhattan
Railway is perfectly feasible. He concludes:
" Electricity is likely to take the place of steam
power gradually, rather than with a boom, and
many credulous electricians will be sadly dis-
appointed. Mr. Edison says his best two as-
sistants came from Stevens Institute, and we
are keenly interested in electrical science here;
but 10,000 mechanical engineers are wanted
to every ten electricians, and it would be a
mistake for a very great number of young men
to determine to devote themselves to electrical
enterprise. We may expect great things from
electricity, but we must not expect them all
to arrive in one day. "
An immense locomotive has just been com-
pleted at the Sacramento shops of the Cen-
tral Pacific Railroad. The total length of the
engine and tender is 65 feet ; it has five pairs
of driving wheels, 4 feet 9 inches in diameter,
with a 36 inch stroke ; the weight of the en-
gine is 73 tons, the weight on the drivers being
64 tons. The total weight of engine and ten-
der is 100 tons. Between every two of the
driving wheels is a double brake, carefully ad-
justed so that equal pressure will be brought
to bear upon all the wheels at exactly the
same time. The locomotive is known by the
name of " El Gobernador," and is intended for
the Techachipi Pass, in the Sierra Nevada
Mountains, California ; it is expected to do
more work than two of the engines now used,
with less consumption of fuel. The railway
crossing the Techachipi Pass is a feat of ex-
traordinary character in engineering. At a first
glance, the mountam seems a formidable and
almost unsurmountable barrier. It rises 3,000
feet in seven miles. The intricacies of the ap-
proach are utterly confusing at first sight, and
it was necessary to make the line 25 miles long
to overcome the height, even with an equated
grade of 116 feet to the mile. The road at
THE S TE VENS INDICA TOR.
one point is made to describe a spiral, so that
it crossed over itself at a height of 97 feet
above the lower tunnel. Such is the field of
work of this giant locomotive."
The largest of the Harris-Corliss engines
on exhibition at the New Orleans Exposition,
from Providence, R. I., was started up on
December i. It runs a line of shafting the
entire length of the Exposition building. This
engine is a 30 by 72 inch, giving 750 horse
power, and the line of shafting which it runs
is about 1,400 feet in length. This was the
first to start in the Exposition.
The Washington monument is protected
from lightning by the following novel ex-
pedient. The apex of the monument, which
is a conical block of aluminum of consider-
able size, has attached to its bottom part a
heavy copper bolt which is at once divided in-
to four parts, one of these being carried to
each of the four heavy columns supporting
the elevator. These in turn are connected
with the well near the base of the monument,
thus forming complete connection between
its summit and the earth.
The present year has seen the building and
equipment of the fastest, most powerfully
armed, and most heavy armored war ship that
has yet been constructed. This year has also
seen the beginning of the end of armored ships.
Ericsson's torpedo boat trials have demon-
strated many things, and among others, the fact
that a vessel may be sent to the bottom with a
celerity and dispatch which make her armor only
valuable as a sinker. High authorities abroad
have expressed the opinion recently that, in
the future, it would not be worth while to
attempt to keep out anything except the balls
from machine guns. When merchant steamers
can make from twenty-one to twenty-two
miles per hour, the vessels of war must not
have a less rate of speed if any prizes are to
be taken. If the armor is useless, an equal
weight in the engine room would be a far
better investment. If torpedoes or torpedo
boats are to be generally used, the ship of the
future must carry her armor over her whole
hull if she is to be protected. It is even
doubtful if the " Esmeralda's " twenty-one
inches of armor would keep out one of the
torpedoes used by Ericsson on his boat last
summer. If these would not carry explosives
enough to sink a ship, it is an easy thing to en-
large their capacity until they will do so. — In-
dustrial Amercia,
rF^BIGAHieR GARBS.
Evidently this column of our Indicator is
in great demand. There are many cards
which we wish to bulletin ; but because they
do not appear in this number, do not think
that they have been forgotten. However, this
card is aimed directly at the ubiquitous and
self asserting " Preps," and indirectly, perhaps,
at some one else.
We refer to the first term examination in
descriptive geometry. The Sophomores con-
descended to occupy Prof. Morton's room — not-
withstanding the fact that they were obliged
to draw the figures with the paper on their
knees — in order that the " Preps " might enjoy
the luxury of Prof. Wood's room. This, to put
it mildly, is a downright imposition. The un-
dergraduates of a college surely have prefer-
ence as regards the members of a little prepar-
tory school. For the benefit of those who do not
know our sentiments on the general subject
of " Preps," we would state that we wish the
authorities would keep the animalsin their cage.
The class of '88 begins the year with a new
list of officers, which we publish in another
column. Editorially, we would like to give
'88 a few words of advice. To begin with,
'88, when you are gathered together in a class
meeting, try and recollect that you are no
longer " Preps," and behave with becoming
dignity. Then again, '88, get a copy of
Robert's Manual, and require your officers to
post themselves on the more important rules
for governing meetings. Encourage your pre-
siding officer by remaining in order at all
times. If you care to take the advice of those
older than you, the business formerly trans-
acted in fifteen minutes may be done in five.
At the beginning of the year it was an-
nounced that the tool room attendant would
be on hand half an hour before the starting of
the engine, and also half an hour after work
was stopped. Now he is on hand according
to the latter clause, but when one wishes to
obtain his overalls at 1 145, he is not able to
do so. For those who wish to make the most
of their limited shop hours, this is extremely
annoying. The student should be able to have
his machine in readiness to start with the en-
gine, and in order that this may be accom-
plished, it is necessary that he should receive
his overalls in advance of this time. The rule
is a good one, and The Indicator takes it
upon itself to urge that it be enforced.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
jphe Stevens iRdieafe®?.
P1JBUSHSO ON THB
t5«i OF EACH MONTH, DURING THE COLLEGE YEAR,
BY THB
INDICATOR PUBLISHING COMPANY,
^teVeD^ In^tiM of TeegnoIosJ.
TERMS ^-$1.60 per Year, In Advance. Single Copy, 20 Cents.
J*oi( Qfin M AroM CTmc tUtUr.
Extra copUs can be obtaimd at LuthirCs book store^
Hoboken, N, J.
Subscribers will please immediately notify us of any
change in their addresses or failure to receive the paper
regularly.
The writer s full name^ as well as his NOM DE PLUME,
must accompany the article^ as assurance of good faith
and reliability ; but it will not be published^ unless desired.
Exchanges^ contributions^ subscriptions^ advertisements
and all other communications by mail, should be addressed
toTniL Stevens Indicator, Stevens Institute, J/obohen,
N.J.
flFTERr the publication of The Indicator
for December, the Board of Editors
considered it expedient to prepare a report of
the year's work ending with that number.
The report presented was a complete state-
ment, from the first number to the last, of the
year's labors, and might be summed up some-
what briefly.
The business manager reported for his
department the pleasing information that The
Indicator would be able to pay all claims
against it up to date, and that a balance of some
fifty dollars remained with which to begin the
second year's work. This fifty dollars balance, it
should be here stated, is not in convenient and
available form ; it is a balance nevertheless ;
but as it is largely made up of unpaid subscrip-
tions, with every indication of their remaining
so, it may safely be entered in the profit and
loss account.
These same bad debt accounts will be briefly
foot-noted and kept for future editors to
admire and shun.
Next presented was the general report of
the year's run, including everything of interest
and much that was not. Its principal points
were as follows : From a business point of
view. The Indicator has succeeded quite up
to the general expectation, having paid all
its expenses and being left with a balance of
bad debts for future speculation. As a paper,
the Board was unanimous in voting the cover
a success, the advertisements good, substan-
tial and worthy of solicitation for the ensuing
year. The literary matter furnished by the
Board was commended and spoken highly of
(by the Board), but the question was, where
did it all originate !
The contributions from the students of the
Institute were the subject of much heated dis-
cussion, in the vain endeavor to first prove that
there had been any, and then the not less diffi-
cult task of finding them. Still they were
found and presented, four in number, and re-
read with considerable curiosity.
Four contributions from one hundred and
seventy students for nine issues of The Indi-
cator !
The policy of the paper during the year has
been of a varied character. In the beginning
it had no policy, but one day Mr. Blaikie
favored us with a most entertaining and
instructive talk on physical culture. Well, it
might it have been supposed that the very
stones in the campus would have reared them-
selves into a gymnasium that same afternoon,
such was the unbounded enthusiasm and grasp-
ing after the unattainable displayed. The In-
dicator immediately took up the subject, and
became eloquent in advocating the necessity
of a gymnasium (it intends to continue so
doing), and hoped in the course of time to
rouse some interest among the students ; it
suggested plans feasible and otherwise, but of
no avail. We are still watching and waiting
[■
8
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
for the miraculous appearance of a well
equipped gymnasium. But enough on, this
want of college feeling; we will speak of it in
another editorial. The gymnasium /it/iV^ fail-
ing, there was a relapse, and since then The
Indicator remained true to its first love and
continued without a policy.
When it became time to publish the Decem-
ber Indicator, the editors themselves could
scarcely get enough matter for the paper, as
examinations required nearly all their extra
minutes, and it was seen at once that an
immediate and radical change was necessary
in order to keep the paper alive.
The matter was brought before a meeting of
the college and was finally settled by the organ-
ization of a company consisting of fifteen un-
dergraduates, to whose care The Indicator
was given. Each of the fifteen are required
to furnish at least one article for each issue
of the paper or else forfeit their interest in
it. In this way the work is more evenly
divided than was the case with the old Board,
and for this reason it should make each con-
tributor's work more presentable. The paper
will not be changed in any respect, the new
management continuing the publication under
its old form, beginning 1885 with Vol. II.
The only change, and we hope that it will be
soon, will be a general improvement of the
pages between the advertisements.
-•-♦-
rS there a lack of interest in college affairs
among the students ? To all appearances
there undoubtedly is ; and, if we had not
thought seriously over the matter, we should
arrive at this conclusion. It would seem a
want of enthusiasm rather than a lack of in-
terest. Occasionally this little fire of enthusi-
asm can be fanned into a glow, and, by per-
persistent fanning, may even be kept up for sev-
eral weeks, but it always dies down in the end.
We are, of course, speaking now of the stu-
dents in general ; that is, taken as a whole.
There are many who are willing to take even
more than their share of responsibility; but,
after herculean efforts, all the time calling for
aid, they are obliged to drop their load be-
cause most of the students prefer to see a
burden carried rather than help to carry it
themselves.
To support these remarks, let us look back
upon some of the events of the (last year. As
a striking proof the subject of the gymnasium
towers up before us. After Mr. Blakie's lec-
ture last year much enthusiaMa^was aroused,
and every one was ready to €nter into the
good work* with zeal ; it was merely a matter
of how much time it would take to carry out
the plans decided upon. A college meeting
was held, a committee appointed and a sub-
scription list started, which soon reached sev-
eral hundred dollars. But, as soon as the ma-
jority of the students saw that the responsi-
bility of the work had been laid upon a few,
they immediately shifted all the work upon the
shoulders of these few, thought of something
else, and that is the last of it. Not that the
subject has not been kept before the minds of
all ; the amount of sensible and valuable sug-
gestions in The Indicator would fill several
pages of reading matter. It was discussed at
some length in the Eccentric and was men-
tioned in the BolU
It is the same way in everything else ; as
soon as a committee has been appointed all
the rest of the students drop all interest, or at
least offer no more help, and after a time the pro-
ject dies out, unless by heroic struggles on the
part of the committee, the work is at last carried
out. Let us give up this bad habit of selfish-
ness and lack of patriotism. The college pin
committee has not been supported as it should;
the glee club will not be firmly established as
a permanent feature unless all put their
shoulders to the wheel and work with a vim.
Come, let us be up and doing. Do not say
that you cannot help because you do not know
whom to ask about it ; take the initiative your-
selves. Let there be a friendly rivalr}- as to
who will do the most ; think not of the honor
that is due to you for your work, but re-
member that it is for the honor of Stevens
that you are working.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
a6(Sfflu^iGA3Fre^s.
To the JuHtors of The Indicator:
Not long ago I had occasion to perform
some experiments with a galvanometer, in
which a mirrored needle throws a beam of re-
flected light upon a transparent scale in front
of the instrument. In order to test the sensi-
tiveness of the ^vanometer, I placed the
wires connected with the coil upon my tongue.
The spot of light was immediately thrown off
the scale. Placing one wire above my tongue
and the other below it, the spot of light disap-
peared to the right. Changing the position
of the wires, and placing the one that was
above before below, and vice versa^ the spot
disappeared to the left.
Wishing to further cany out this experi-
ment, I placed the wires one on either side of
my tongue, and then put them through the
former process. The current was reversed in
this case also. There was no battery in any
way connected with the instrument.
Can any of your readers state the reason
for this occurrence ? I do not think that it can
be due to polarity ; and as the wires were
both of copper, I can think of no explanation.
Freshman.
To the Editors of The Indicator :
What a profound knowledge of human na-
ture is shown in the mass of fable literature
which has been produced in past ages ! In
the every day walks of life do we continually
see where some of these productions might
most truthfully be applied. Quite recently, at
the Institute, have we had brought to our
notice a case to which would be most applica-
ble the fable of a " Mountain which went to
labor and brought forth a mouse." We speak
of the proceedings of that august body, the
college pin committee.
This committee, an assemblage of mighty
intellects, culled by the infinite wisdom of the
class presidents from their respective bodies,
after duly organizing and framing as compre-
hensive a set of by-laws as would be adequate
for a country debating society, set to work on
their arduous and difficult task. Knowing, as
they did, that the subject was one entirely too
deep to be coped with by the ordinary intelli-
gence of professional designers, they set their
gigantic intellects to create something new
and original.
Patiently did the members of this com-
mittee toil on, steadily they consumed the
boarding house gas, until finally, a few days
before the Christmas holidays, they brought
forth their sublime effort. This, with due
ceremony, was unveiled at the bulletin board
to the admiring gaze of a number of infantile
freshmen.
Brilliant with all the colors of the rainbow,
with the contour and dimensions of a full
grown sunflower, decorated with letters fitted
to adorn a circus poster, such was pinned,
this the essence of the artistic conceptions of
the entire body.
Whether it was owing to the lack of artistic
feeling among the students, or whether their
ideas were not educated sufficiently to appre-
ciate this aestheticism, at any rate the college,
as a whole, failed to agree with the committee,
in that this was the best that could be done.
The committee have accordingly again
withdrawn themselves from the world, and in
the seclusion of their apartments strive to
solve their refractory problem. Of late their
meetings have been frequent ; solemn have
been their countenances. Whether this bodes
good or evil no one can tell ; and until we
know, the whole college must remain in sus-
pense, waiting for the next inspiration of our
committee of shining lights.
RX.
«^ » »
GOOD ADVICE.
President Porter, of Yale, once gave this
sound and wholesome advice to the students :
** Young men, you are the architects of your
own fortunes ; rely on your own strength of
body and soul. Take for your standard self
reliance. Inscribe on your banner, * Luck is
a fool, pluck is a hero.' Don't take too much
advice ; keep at the helm and steer your own
ship, and remember that the art of command-
ing is to take a fair share of the work. Think
well of yourself. Strike out. Assume your
own position. Put potatoes in a cart, go over
a rough road and the small ones go to the bot-
tom. Rise above the envious and jealous.
Fire above the mark you intend to hit. Energy,
invincible determination, with a right motive,
are the levers that move the world. Don't
swear. Don't deceive. Don't read novels.
Don't marry until you can support a wife. Be
civil. Read the papers. Advertise your busi-
ness. Make money and do good with it. Love
your God and fellow men. Love truth and
virtue. Love your country and obey its laws."
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
On Wednesday evening last, Terpsichore
smiled benignly upim her votaries as they hur-
ried about nine o'clock to pay their homage
at her shrine, and the services and rites of
worship were long, and under the fair muse's
inspiration, faces beamed with pleasure and
fair forms and manly figures glided lo and fro
in unison with the dulcet strains of harmonious
music.
Never had the goddess received more ardent
worship, and in answer to the invocation, she
was lavish of her favors, and taught all to feel
the poetry of motion as they had never felt it
before. Even the couple that never had
waltzed before, after a time ceased their ir-
regular spasmodic hop, ceased making others
wish they had been in foot ball training, and
sat down. Under the irresistible impulse of the
music, couples were compelled to move in
curves of beauty and rhythmical unison, ex-
cept when the floor proved too slippery, and
one poor unfortunate took a header over a
The fascination of bright eyes and soft
glances added its quota to the pleasure
of the evening, and it was not until the wee
'hours thai the spell was broken, and Terp-
sichore's devotees returned to their homes, de-
claring the evening a memorable one, and
looking forward with pleasurable anticipation
to a repetition of it at a not distant day.
Such was the first hop given by the Seniors,
s from every pomt of view, if repeated
declaration, from all who were there, that they
enjoyed it hugely, goes for anything. The
committee on arrangements did their part well
and provided first class music, and offered re-
freshment, and saw that the floor was as smooth
and slippery as wax could make it.
The order of dancing was well arranged
and well adhered to, and everybody danced
with great Kest and untiring ardor until, judg-
ing by the limp condition of shirt fronts and
high collars, it was about lime lo desist.
There were about five sets, and some of
Hoboken's most charming young ladies and
one fair one from out of town graced the hall
with their presence. Among the costumes
was one of jasmine yellow, surah silk com-
bined with satin of the same shade and edged
with Valenciennes lace. The bodice was made
close fitting and of wine colored brocade, and
a cluster of light roses was worn against the
square cut corsage, filled in with Venetian lace;
altogether the very acme dr. ta mode. A large
number of the students were in evening dress
and the appearance of the hall was very pretty.
Some Hobokenites were credited with say-
ing that the affair could not be a success with-
out their co-operation ; but the success of the
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
II
first of the series of hops proves that the
students can be entirely independent, if they
only continae to exercise as much good taste
and judgment in the future as when they
started, and especially if they have the sym-
pathy of the majority of the students of the
college.
-•-^-
PBRS61^AIiS.
•76.
E. B. Wall, superintendent of motive
power on the Pan Handle route, at Columbus,
Ohio, is having conducted under his super-
vision an exhaustive investigation on the
great question of the consumption and econo-
my of fuel in locomotives.
•78.
Oscar Antz is foreman of the South Am-
boy shops of the P. R.R., at South Amboy,
N.J.
'83.
John Adger has given up his position as
manager and treasurer of the Charleston Iron
Works, and is now in the steamship office of
James Adger & Co.
Frederick C. Fraentzel is with* the
Celluloid Manufacturing Co., Newark, N. J.
'84.
Edward B. Renwick, in the Brooks Loco-
motive Works, Dunkirk, N. Y., has charge of
a night school for the apprentices of the
works, held three evenings of each week.
♦~^
S. I. T. GLEE CLUB.
We now have a regular organized college
glee club. There are at present eighteen ac-
tive members : four from '85, four from '86,
five from '87, and five from '88. The club
held a meeting for organization a few weeks
ago, and adopted a constitution, with Mr.
Cotiart, '86, as president and director, and
Mr. Burhorn, '85, as secretary. . Mr. W. S.
Mworth, '85, has kindly accepted the office
of business manager for the club, and will
hare entire management of its finances. Mr.
J. S. Camp, of Wesleyan, has been engaged as
musical director and leader. Regular meetings
and rehearsals are now held two afternoons of
the week and Saturday morning, and it promises
to be a complete success. Already arrange-
ments are being made to give a concert in
March, which promises to be an affair both
interesting and worthy of Stevens. It is
necessary that the glee club should receive the
entire support of the college ; and as there is
no doubt but that the concert will be success-
ful as a musical performance, in order that it
may be a financial success, we urge upon the
students that it is their duty to give it their
financial support. It is desired that each man
subscribe at least one dollar, for which he will
receive in return two fifty cent tickets for the
concert. Those subscribing two dollars will
receive five tickets, and in like proportion. It
is to be hoped that the glee club will prove a
permanent feature. Upon the success of this
first appearance depends the future success of
so desirable an institution as the S. I. T. Glee
Club.
* ^» *
THE INDICATOR PUBLISHING CO.
The support given to The Indicator by the
students of the Institute during the year was
particularly conspicuous, owing to its absence;
and as matters grew worse, the editors decided
that some decisive action was necessary on
their part to prevent the paper from failing
completely. At their last regular meeting, held
early in January, the greater part of the time
was taken up in discussing the propriety of the
board resigning. The final conclusion reached
was, that as representatives of the students,
they had not only taken charge of the publi-
cation of the paper, but had furnished all the
articles ; consequently, doing the work of the
board and the students combined.
The board further considered that their obli-
gations to persevere in drumming up the latent
energy of the students no longer bound them ;
for besides wasting their valuable time, the con-
stitution revealed the fact that the paper was
published by the students, and as it had with-
out exception been published for them by the
editors, the latter .showed their prompt appre-
ciation of this fact by resigning. Thus it was
decided to hand the paper over to the students,
and by resigning give some one else an oppor-
tunity to dig for contributions. This resulted
in the calling of a college meeting to consider
the advisability of continuing the publication
of the paper.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
The students were generally unwilling to see
the enterprise fail, and resolutions were passed
to the eSect that The Indicatok should be
continued as the college paper. The matter
was finally left in the hands of a committee of
eight, with instructions to organize a company
to assume entire charge of The Indicator and
present their report to the college for arcept-
ance. The committee immediately set to work,
and submitted a lengthy report, from which the
following essential points are noted :
"The committee, in accordance wilh the
authority delegated to them at the meeting
held on Thursday, January 8, organized a stock
company for the purpose of publishing The
Stevens lNDiCATOR,and have adopteda consti-
tution and by-laws for the same, which provides
as follows: The name of this organization shall
be The Indicator Publishing Company ; the
membership shall consist of fifteen stock hold-
ers, each of whom shall be a subscriber to one
share in the stock of the company. Vacancies
in the company shall be filled by a two thirds
vote of the stock holders ; only undergraduate
members of the Institute shall be eligible to
membership in the company ; members shall be
required to contribute at least one satisfactory
article for publication in each issue of the
paper, which article shall be subject to the ap-
proval of the board of editors ; failure to com-
ply with the above shall subject a member to
expulsion by a two thirds vote of the stock
holders, provided he offers no excuse satis-
factory to a majority of said stock holders.
(Signed.) R. H. Rice, Chairma/t."
This report was accepted, and the commit-
tee, as a nucleus of the company, were given
entire control of The Inhicator.
Immediately after the college meeting ad-
journed the committee proceeded to complete
the organization of the new company. Fifteen
members were elected, and from these fifteen,
seven werechoosen editors for The Indicator.
The company as organized consists of the fol-
lowing members : Class of '85, Glasgow, Rice,
Rusby, Williams ; class of '86, Birdsall, Col-
lins, Fuchs, Morrison, Mowton ; class of '87,
Bayles, Moeller, Schlesinger, Smith ; class of
'88, Fuller, Wynkoop. The officers of the
company are : Pre* , Collins, '86 ; Vice Pres.,
Rice, "85 ; Sec, Smith, '87 ; Treas., Birdsall, '86.
The board of editors are i Editor in chief,
Collins, '86 ; business manager, Birdsall, '86 ;
exchange editor, Morrison, '86 ; associate
editors, Rusby, '85, Fuchs, '86, Smith, '87,
Wynkoop, '88.
MEETING OF THE ATHLETI
ASSOCIATION.
The meeting of the Athletic Asso
held on the 14th inst., was a busy one.
other matters the gymnasium received f
attention, and active measures were ta
advance the matter, a committee bei
pointed to determine the course of at
be pursued in establishing a gymnasiur
The students are evidently determi
secure a building in some way, and i
rest until their object is accomplished.
A proposition from the Arlington Bi
Club to lease the grounds two days eac
was received, and the matter placed
hands of the directors.
It was also decided to assess each r
twenty-five cents to meet the debts of
sociation.
The committee having control of th(
of the base ball league are reminded
fact that no pennant has as yet been pn
to the Lafayette College Club.
STOFFI^S B8X.
Skating on the meadows.
Will nitrate of silver turn yaller d
black ?
Popular song in '86 class room : " I
Dure."
The Juniors get sat upon on an ave
twice a week.
The Seniors are enjoying rifle pra.
the Physical Lab.
"85, it is said, will soon have on.
members go to Canada.
Sealed proposals will be received foi
steel door for '86 class room.
Graydon & Denton have a contract
new aqueduct for New York.
The pleasures of the Chem. Lab.
wholly una//f_ved. (Diagram next mor
Lynching will speedily follow the po
boarding house notices on our buUetir
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
13
Freshman at Hoboken P. O. : ** Please give
me twenty-five cents' worth of tw© cent stamps.
The death of Chem. Lab. Imp No. 3 is
daily expected ; several have vowed to murder
him.
Fog horns will soon be necessary in order to
navigate successfully in the Chem. Lab. after
3 p.m.
It is given out as a private " tip " that
W-ll-m St-v-ns, '85, is engaged. " One more
unfortunate," etc.
Upon taking up Worcester the other day,
the first word we saw was " Lover," and after
V see Lunatic."
One of the Freshies wants to know if he
can't buy his triangles numbered, so that he
can tell the 45** from the 60°.
We heard the other day of an Irishman who
joined the Seventy-fifth Regiment during the
war so as to be near his brother, who was in
the Seventy-fourth.
Yea, verily, great and unanimous was the
kick when the notice was posted informing the
Juniors that amusement would be furnished in
the shop on Saturdays.
Prof, in Physics — Therefore, you see mani-
festly, that if, er — a man went near enough to
a cannon, he would not hear the report until
after the ball struck him 1 "
We think our little Senior's cane must be
hollow and filled with cough(ee) mixture, as
he constantly appears to be drawing some-
thing therefrom into his mouth.
A small friend of ours, forgetting the name
of the father of wickedness, asked his mother :
Mamma, what's the name of the gentleman
who keeps the big fire place ? "
We note the failure of another millionaire
in the daily press. It was not stocks ; oh, no !
His son merely bought the reference books
mentioned by his Prof, at college.
It was in the country, and they were talking
about the pastor, who had a bad habit of
talking through his nose. " I guess," said one,
"that he does that to rest his throat."
New Year's Day appears to have been easy
on the students and those who direct their
minds and actions. It may also be stated that
no stones fell off the roof on that day.
What the chemical laboratory needs is an
«haust fan run by power from the shop, as
there is generally shop work going on, on Lab.
days. At present aqua regia holds the fort.
We have but recently discovered that one
of the students fills a public office; he is a
tacks collector. If he wishes to die a natural
death with his boots off, let him beware of
attacks.
Prof, to student : " How does a belt act — by
a push or a pull ? "
Student C : ** Yes, sir, it pushes on one
side and pulls on the other." (Prof, para-
lyzed.)
Student (to Prof, who was stating a point for
the thirtieth time) — Professor, you have told
us that twenty-nine times already.
Prof.— True, very true! but there are thirty
students in the class.
Now is the time when the unwary student
weareth no overcoat to college in the balmy
morning, but before night the blizzard cometh
hence from Manitoba, and knocketh him out
so that he is absent the next day.
Our laboratorious Juniors remind one of a
matron blessed with daughters. For, when-
ever any obnoxious fumes are perceived escap-
ing from a seemingly innocent beaker, they
shriek: ** Put it under the hood!"
Why don't the enterprising Hoboken land-
lady, instead of eclipsing all college notices
on the bulletin board, take advantage of The
Indicator and advertise, thus reaching even
the student who enters and leaves the build-
ing by the basement ?
A few years from now, when a member of
'99 wishes to sell his Kinematics to a member
of '00, he will insist on the value of the book
viewed in the light of an autograph album of
distinguished men, in addition to the probable
good condition of the book itself.
Problem in Mechanics : Given a man
making his exit from a Salon cTEsprity after
a sojourn of as-long-as-the-money-lasts min-
utes. To find the conditions of stable equi-
librium, also possible influence of external
forces (police force, etc.) Ans. V Foidosv
Inasmuch as the selection of a college pin
is at present under consideration, and since it
seems to be expected that every one should
propose a design, we desire to state that, in
our humble opinion, the simplest, most appro-
priate and most suggestive ornament would be
— a crank-pin.
Mr. Koenig (in German*, after some hesita-
L
H
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
tion) : "When the working-set-in-motion-left-
to-itself force, A B, then the w-s-i-m-1-t-i
force meets stopped have been will," etc.
(sighs deeply!
Prof. K. : Mr. K., does that really satisfy
your cravings after truth ?"
For a truss for light and quick work, those
at the Manhattan Roller Rink, at Fifty-ninth
Street and Eighth Avenue, New York, are worth
seeing. The floor is also one of the finest of the
kind in the city, and the management not only
perfect, but the floor is always free from the
tough " crowd that infest most other rinks.
Another subject has entered the lists for
torturing the Juniors — it is Kinematics. The
repulsion which it met last year showed itself
lately by the readiness with which the Seniors
sold the book at fifty per cent. off. Some say
that the K. is derived from the German Keine^
matt, etc.y but we claim that is derived from
Prof. MacCord.
We note with feelings which we can scarcely
express in language fit to be printed, that our
hirsute friend in '85 has at last heeded the
loud and sonretimes profane requests to shave
off the " loose chewing " which adorned (?) his
phiz, as the class had vowed not to allow him
to graduate with the hairy necktie. We suppose
this hastened the daring act.
Jones was speaking of Brown to his partner
some time ago, and said that, although Brown
was a jolly fellow, he, like others, had his fail-
ings. " I am pained to be compelled to speak
thus of him," said he, "for I like him, but,
unfortunately, I love the truth still better."
" Why," said his partner, " I never thought that
you preferred a perfect stranger to an old ac-
quaintance."
The question of the College Pin seems to
be a hard one to settle ; at the last meeting it
was decided to get a fresh lot of designs to
choose from. This is a wise move, as the best
of those on the bulletin board resemble too
closely the National Guard pins. What we
want is something distinctive, plairty and not
so expensive as to be only purchased by a few
of the men. It should be also small as well
as plain, or it would never be worn after
graduation.
The Editorial Boards of the Eccentric and
Bolt are both hard at work on their respec-
tive annuals. The struggle for first place has
changed the appearance of our annual publi-
cations greatly in the last few years ; from
almost mere pamphlets they have grown to full
fledged books, worthy of preservation. Let
us hope that^his year's production will throw
all previous efforts in the shade, but, above
all, let them be clean, and not show any con-
tact with Mother Earth.
Ben Franklin has had a hard time of it
lately. After knocking the defenceless old man
down, he was transferred to the Stink Zim-
mer of the Chemical Laboratory, and deco-
rated with a Tarn O'Shanter, '* Excelsior," and
a checked jumper, while a number of artistic
members of the class, with charcoal and red
lead, endeavored with more zeal than success
to beautify the countenance of the illustrious
Ben. The next day the Professor ordered a
bath for Ben, which was the cause of his sub-
sequent noQ appearance at his usual post in
the Library. &t fact, he has been ill ever
since and had to be (literally) laid on the
shelf.
The officers of the class erf '83, for the re-
mainder of the collegiate year, were elected
amid much confusion and uproar at tico recent
meetings of the class. The elections resulted
as follows:
President, Whigham.
Vice-President, McLean.
Secretary, Phipps.
Treasurer, Echeveria.
Historian, Hall.
Chaplain, W. B. Smith Whaley, D. D.
Mr. Echeveria had performed the duties of
Treasurer in such a highly satisfactory manner
that he was unanimously re-elected to that
office.
For the benefit of those reciting on " Mater-
ials of Engineering," we publish the following
2s a mathamatically correct conclusion from
the statement of Professor Thurston, that ;
" The factor of Safety is a factor of Ignor-
ance, hence we have
Factor of Safety = Factor of Ignorance.
. . Safety = Ignorance,
hence Safe = Ignorant.
. * . A safe man in Materials of Engineer-
ing = an ignorant man in M. of E. But a
man safe in M. of E.=^a man safe to pass
in M. of E.
Axiom : two things equal to the same thing
are equal to each other.
. ' . A student ignorant in Materials of
Engineering is safe to pass in it.
We heard recently of two embryo mechani-
cal engineers, residing not a thousand miles
from Hoboken, who were spending their vaca-
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
15
don in a Jersey town last summer, in which
lived a Miss G , on whom they used to
call alternately. One evening as Ed. C, the
apparently less favored one, was wrestling
with the problem of keeping up the conversa-
tion, he suddenly said, in dulcet tones : " Do
you think, Maud, that you could leave your
fond and indulgent parents, your circle of
admiring friends, a home where every wish
is gratified, where all is ease and luxury —
could you leave the place of your birth, a
town with a roller skating rink on every block
—could you abandon all these and go to the
far West with a poor but honest mechanical
engineer, and with him face the hardships and
troubles of life, and grow up with the country,
and be his support and try to make his bur-
dens lighter ?" Stealing her arm around him,
and laying her head on his shoulder, she
faintly whispered, " Yes."
"Well," said he, moving away suddenly,
" my chum, George A , is going West next
week, and Til just mention the matter to him,
as he wants a wife."
■♦-♦-
exG^F^SBS.
We regret very much to be obliged to apolo-
gize for the loose way in which our Exchange
department has been carried on for the past
few months. We shall be sorry indeed to lose
any of our exchanges through that negligence,
and we hope under the present management
of The Indicator that the department will be
faithful to its duties in every respect and ful-
fil all its requirements as it should. So many
exchanges are now on hand which have not
even been acknowledged, that it will be im-
possiple to attend to all in the present issue.
The Electrical Engineer begins the year
rouch enlarged and improved. It opens with
a short review of the progress of the science
during the past year, and passing on gives an
^cle on the prospects of the electric railway.
The opinions of some of the authorities seem
to show that such railways are feasible. An
interview with Henry Morton, of Stevens,
occupies quite a space. The interview closes
^th, " I do not see any reason to believe that
^^e change can advantageously be made. The
^difficulties to be overcome are numerous, and
5>ome of them of a very serious character. I
^loubtif the change will be made for many
years to come."
Mr. Edison, however, considers "The
economy of electric locomotion settled, and
that its immediate application is simply a
question of proving it to the satisfaction of
the management."
Mr. Weston argues that in light running
machinery electricity is a safer, more con-
venient and more economical agent than
steam; that the small steam engines now in
use are too expensive, and not altogether safe.
It contains many other articles of importance.
Van Nostrand's Engineering Magazine for
December, opens with Theory of the Sliding
Friction of Rotation," by R. H. Thurston, of
Stevens. It treats of the subject in its various
conditions, using calculus and analytical
freely. A description of " The Manufacture
of Crucible Cast Steel " is elaborate. Begin-
ning with the old fashioned method of convert-
ing bar iron into steel, and afterward melting
it in clay pots to form ingots of cast steel, it
traces the history of its manufacture to the
methods now in use. The whole article is ex-
ceedingly interesting and gives one a very good
idea of steel, its manufacture and properties.
The other articles are as worthy of attention.
Mechanics for January contains a machine
for ** Measurements of Friction of Lubricating
Oils." Its operation is based on the principle
of measuring the friction between two annular
plates, and the whole designed for the pur-
pose of observing these with precision. The
methods of using, as well as tables and curves
showing results, are given in detail. An article
on " Continuous Air Brakes " is worthy of
notice as interesting. The illustrations of the
Humphrey turbine water wheel are excel-
lent, as are all the other drawings.
The University Herald speaks of the pro-
tests against the marking system now in vogue
in the colleges. We should like to add our
voice to the many entering such protests. We
have long been of the opinion that our mark-
ing system cannot do entire justice, and have
been gradually arriving at the belief that our
so called marks mean nothing whatever. It is
true in some departments we are satisfied, and
that because we know the marks are more of
the nature of daily records than a simple
number representing what we are supposed to
know. We could give many examples of the
injustice done many of us, but no need ; they
are too well known to bear repeating. We are
glad we are not the only ones who are eager
to have the system done away with.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
One of our London exchanges, ^f^Amateur
Mechanics, contains an article by R. H. Thuis-
ton, of Stevens, on lubricants. The magazine
is a very interesting one, and much more
technical than its name would seem to indi-
cate.
The Tech has a short but sesible editorial
on parliamentary practice at the Institute.
We wouid do well to follow out some such
plan as has been suggested by our sister insti-
tute. The next number contains an editorial
upon the abolishment of quantitative analysis
at Columbia School of Mines. The argument
is ably carried out.
Once more we are reminded, this lime by a
description of the Pratt gymnasium, in the
Amherst Student, of that handsome building
standing (?) in the corner of the campus. We
call it OUT gymnasium and library. And do
you ask, as you look toward that much fre-
quented spot, where is that building? We
can simply answer — Where ?
We feel sorry for the Chromcle. Its gaudy
cover haunts us. Once when we did venture
to go beyond the cover, and gaze on the in-
side, we found the literary character of the
paper good. O that our exchange would adopt
a modest cover. Not show, but merit.
We would like to hear again from the pen
that wrote " Meditation of a Hindoo Sceptic,"
in the Queen's College Journal, and we should
like to inform our exchange that we are not
"St. Stephen's Indicator, Holboken, N. J."
We acknowledge the following recently re-
ceived exchanges : The American Engineer,
Yale Record, The Tech, The " 84," Lafayette
College Journal, The Michigan Argonaut, Am-
herst Student, Bou-doin Orient, The North
Western, The Sibyl, The University Herald,
Queen's College Journal, Weekly University
Courier, Hudson County Democrat Advertiser,
The Holcad.
At the polo grounds — Princeton Freshman
with a gaudy orange and black striped hand-
kerchief tied over the crown of his hat, circu-
lating freely. Happy member of a stock
brokers' party : " Put some paris green on
that potato bug." — Yale Record.
"I think your moustache is lovd^l
Smith, and I only wish I had it on tny E^.
she said, as she gazed into his face with a]i
of gone look. And the infernal old doltd"
catch, but only remarked that he thoiy
was very good for a three months"
Northwestern.
Co-ed — " Yes; I am learning crockery pi
ing ; it is all the rage."
Male Student: " Yes; it seems to be.';
you paint anything besides your mug f
now she only considers him as a bn '
Campus.
Sophomore (putting up Freshman)—
three cheers for '87."
Fresh.— "Three cheers for '87! Rah! 1
Rah!"
Soph,— "Say, '88 is no good."
Fresh. — " '88 is no good, but (sotto »
Lord help '89." — Ccncordiensis.
We iwere itundiog by Ihe gale.
And although 'livu only eight,
She had lold me Ihil she
Could no longer stay ;
Yet I would not then depart,
But still clasped her lo my heart
And besouehi her that she
Would noi go svfay.
So I held her little hand
And continued yet to stand,
Though I saw that she began
To nervous grow ;
Bui I feha little pained
When she suddenly exclaimed :
" Htrt'i my alhtr fellow (emtHg !
You MUST gt,."
" Hoboken is the Williamsburg of New
Jersey ; Williamsburg is the Hoboken of Long
Island. These are the divine geographical
parallels of an insular metropolis. America,
I salute you. This is only a thought. All the
same, I had rather be to windward of Hunter's
Point." — Extract from ancient writing.
A health journal says: "Too thick under-
clothing causes unnatural redness in the face
and nose." We never heard it called that
name before. Perhaps if the editor of the
health journal was to dilute his "undercloth-
ing" with a little water before swallowing it,
the unnatural color would not manifest itself
so prominently.— A'jr. When we think of thit
statement and then recollect that the weather
lately has been very cold, we are able to see
the connection between o. w. janitor and the
falling of stones from the roof.
ImA* tt our ®at,
II .
<vr.,^-.-* i;
-C0R5E/^ig.-
>4
'5
rsrj^.ys rj^i-
1' S£ 4
Stevens Institute of Technologj
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING,
FOUNDED BV TirE L^TE EDWIN A. 8TEVE^f9.
HOBOKEN, N J
REV
STEVENS HIGH SCHOOl
ft THE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT
STEVENS INSTITUTE~OF TECHNOLOGl
Rl VEB STREET, bit. 3ih and f ■ l,. -_--.- l- - -
OPENS SEPTEMBEF
INS"
• 'A FB
.JUNIOR DEPARTMENT,
SENIOR OEPARTWERT,
900.00 PER ANilUMl
BIBO.OO PEK AHHUwl
■ ■■•■ t*rlu» lkum<* all Ui* aludtai^
' 1*- ■ * »>
HOBOKEN, N. J., FEBRUARY, 1B85.
AN ADDRESS TO OUR CAT.
- [Suggested by, and written during, an un-
' i ' s occurring under the writer's win-
1^ uid punctuated with short naps and night-
nutched with difliculty between the
I wmlcber in the dis^nial dark,
died mankind nlumbers, still iloih keep
g «Ipl that no danger cotnc,
' ■ soy jarnng noise lo break
epoie; wilh joy mine ear doih greet
a warble, marvetloui combination
, i [ilayfulneii. of lighlning sinew.
I Ctewc, and teeth, and unground sausage nicar,
— " jy condenied ; who in ihe sun-lighl
m for hours in ever varying othil
f fleniiw tail ; nnon. when hunger gnawest,
tbe chase, and soon tby dainly pnkle
I tldlc with the toothsome rat ; and when
h boll pnp thy province doth invade,
. ,S ll>e field and wilh unerring aim
W nke out pell and opiics ; faithful friend,
1, n the gbastly hours of darkeil night
— ' "o *oMhe me into slumber sweet,
. "• lalUby : Ihy kindness makelli me weep ;
^ distresj thyself on my account.
ige lo pnll through without the music;
k thr couch and slumber until daylight.
Pcue canary.
IShe doesn't slumber to any appreciable ex-
tent. A smothered snuffle is heard,]
What, SDeciine. Tabby? From that direful omen,
I Itmr that thou'rt contracting inlluenia
Ool in the chilly night air; or, perchance.
Sat*0 wandering hayseed hath itself ensconced
Wldria thy noitril.
fllit ball opens in earnest. A chorus of
yOm is heard, mingled with a rippling sound
adtf the whiz of flying fur.]
A14k ! I ninit infer frum this rude clamor
(Aon ha»t entered on the held of battle.
U ia Tabby I make of tooth and toe-nail
* tuc, and that my frail tympanum
[, I'll gently plug my ears up,
e fmy U o'er, and noiie of battle
B fight is finished. The bard speculates
b extent of the damages.]
OmUol am I that the racket's ended ;
link hnnicane again subsided,
I •■ left once more to sleep in ijuiet.
imaa 4 lirely *eI-to J ah. poor Tabby,
I much do fear that in thi^ little pic-nic,
Wherein for glory ye do raslily barter
The warmL'st friendshi[), also divers portions
Of your anatomy, thai thou host gotten
A fatal wound, or that thuu host e'en suFTered
Complete diK integration ; hut whatever
Hast been thy fate — whether a gory victor,
Or scattered o'er Ihe liclU in shapeless fragments.
Until the daylight endeth all conjccluies,
Good night, sweet songster.
LIBERALITY OF THOUGHT.
Among the minds with which we are
brought into contact, Ihe one which attracts
us the most, is the one which is JibL'ral and
well balanced. The mind which, though great
in a single field, is incapable of looking outside
of it, is not the one to court companion-
ship, unless of unusual ability in it.s own
pursuit, and even then draws but few to
itself, and is comparatively isolated. Not
only is intercourse with them unsought, but
is it not to the majority even disagree-
able? Although it is force of circumstan-
ces which sometimes confines a jierton's
mind to one thing and prevents it from ex-
panding, still this is not generally the case ;
but a person who follows one line uf thought,
looking ui)on and capable of apjireciating
nothing else, is regarded as possessing a
narrowness which is repulsive to those whom
he may meet. All who are not attracted to
him by identity of occupation, feel that he is
not only not a co-worker, but that he is un-
sympathetic, and such a quality renders him
exceedingly uncongenial.
It m.iy be truthfully urged that progress in
any one branch demands the eoncentraiion of
thought upon it, and that improvements are
always due to those who do this.
This is readily admitted, but the concen-
tration of thought should not be at the ex-
pense of all interested in outside things. There
is a happy mean between the making of an
efficient human machine, and the making of
a dabbler in all things who does good work
nowhere. Tiiere is, it seems, at the present
time a special tendency toward the produc-
i8
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
tion of persons of one idea, and is not this
largely due to the inordinate desire of the
present generation to become exceedingly
wealthy ?
No young man of the present generation is
content to think of making a comfortable liv-
ing, but his one dream is wealth, and his one
effort to get as much of it and get it as soon
as possible. He applies himself diligently in
his particular pursuit, shuts his eyes to all out-
side, too often totally neglects all cultivation of
mind, becomes a person of one idea, and
eventually may be a genuine " crank."
There is some cause for asking whether we
are not becoming in some respects too prac-
tical. A prominent writer has recently ex-
pressed himself to this effect, and alludes to
our civilization as a " commercial '* one. There
is too much of a tendency to expend all our
thought in money-making, and there is some-
what of a tendency, we think, to despise that
which is not of use in effecting this end.
This is certainly a mistake. Life does not
mean simply the building of railroads, the
perfecting of steam engines, or the improve-
ment of manufactures ; these are simply means
of providing for the comfort and happiness
of mankind, and although they are of the
highest importance, still, we should not forget
other things, which, while having no part in
the supplying of our everyday needs, are pro-
ductive of pleasure through the mind, and are
just as worthy of consideration as our prac-
tical operations.
-»-♦■
WHEN I FIRST CAME TO STEVENS.
II.
Visiting Stevens the second time, I noticed
the sign, "ring twice.*' Obliging as I am, I
" rang twice," as hard as possible, and stepped
in through the massive door. It was just
election time, and the excitement ran high.
Bets were being made on the issue of the
campaign with a recklessness which flavored
of the insane. (I have, however, not been
able to ascertain as yet whether any one lost
or won.) I hastened my footsteps, till I
passed through the foggy atmosphere of the
pool-room, alias library ; then I entered the
workshop. It was on a Friday; that is a day
on which there is no shopwork, as you know,
probably (as I thought) because Professor
L is a Mohammedan — L — a (Allah) be
praised ! I was thus at liberty to imbibe
the delicious odor of machine oil without the
sweet admixture of steam, iron fllii
wood turnings. At the far end of the
espied a pitch-black, formless mass a
your fist, which on minuter examinatioi
to be some waste, the only sample of
in the whole shop. That, other thinj
considered, the workshop is perfect i
be mentioned. One sad recollectio
ever, damped my admiration ; I kn
this room had formerly been the gyn
and that the latter has entirely disapp
a college institution.
Slowly I ascended the broad stain
dropped in at one of the class-rooms,
in the door right under the knob was
** sad relic of the departed " lock,
hats and coats alone were there, tumi
melancholy glances on the divers c
rather fragments of chairs, promi
grouped around in every position but
right. Another class-room, which
attempted to enter, was locked ! yes,
A gruff voice howled out from the ir
exceedingly polite remark of " Coi
But I did not go in for spite !
Excelsior ! one more flight (/. e.y o
and I am in the drawing-rooms, not
rooms where people draw on the kir
the host, but drawing-rooms when
draw on paper. How beautiful ! I
sketches of graceful curves and of
sections looking out of frames of ant(
simplicity break the glaring monotoi
walls. At various places T-squares
hanging openly, while others may be {
hidden away in obscure corners so 2
lead "borrowers" into temptation. Tal
strongly resembling those depicted b
Dutch and Flemish masters, crowd t
covered they are, but not with huge
ale, as might be expected ; an extensi^
paper table cloth veils the thumb t:
fasten the white paper beneath. I
there the table cloths (or rather tab!
are ornamented with a sketch fa
sembling some wild animal, or per
artist ; these covers are also oft
instead of autograph albums for pay
pliments (?) to some one, instead
wipers, and at times for some unknc
pose merely indicated by a missing c
would advise some speculative mine
janitor, to hire out these tables for ac
purposes, say posting boarding-hous(
paper articles about ivory soap (!)
pectuses of the Eccentric ^<?// and th
Eccentric, Suddenly a noise burst
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
19
»tillness of the place. Occasional inarticulate
nowls alternated with distinguishable yells of
'* pope " and " S— t — e — " ; the sounds were
evidently issuing from the room at the other
end of the floor. I rushed thither to see who
^iras being hurt, but on opening the door, I
realized the whole situation. Juniors were
singing! I thought then that it was getting
too dangerous, especially since I saw the pro-
fessor also rush in, undoubtedly to listen to
the harmonious strain. You have heard, of
course, of the power which music has of
drawing animals out from their recesses. It
drove me away, I hurried across the room
toward what was, as I am willing to bet with
anybody, a door ; but still it would not open.
I had to turn back. In my excitement I
ahnost upset one of the Juniors, who sent
after me, beside his well-trained foot (he was
no mule, but a football player), a volley of
of— f— f — those benedictions so characteristic
of the Stevens man.
Down the stairs I came like the stick from
a sky rocket, and struck hard against an
infernal machine placed there to Well !
what could it be ? Electric wires connected,
it may be, with some hidden dynamitard ; the
complicated works were visible, and — since
«f did not go off, according to my expecta-
tions—/ did ! The first thing which I per-
ceived that was worthy of closer attention
was Prof. Thurston's lecture-room. In I went
with my usual unconcemedness, in order to
examine more closely the place, so oft re-
sounding with the words of that celebrated
gentleman. About two-score chairs were
there, each provided with a broad attachment
at the right side, probably used directly for
an elbow rest, and indirectly for a support to
the " gently nodding " head. A multitude of
scientific papers were strewn all over the
floor, and reminded me of the " battle of the
books," which mi^t be revised and named
the " paper battle," to make it more general.
I have no doubt but that these are beneficial
ni assisting to keep the students wide awake.
Thousands of pictures adorn the four walls,
while millions of models of all sizes are put
ap in glass cases all around the room, very
likely in order to protect them from the frag-
ments of chalk which find their way in some
mysterious manner through the air to the floor.
After looking around and examining the
complicated engines till my head began to
buzz in unison with the — but they were not in
modon ; I had merely been " dizzied " by
looking steadfastly at them, to unravel the
connections. My legs soon caught the con-
tagion, and also moved off, leaving me behind
(in my mind) ! A Fresh Man.
INVENTIVE GENIUS.
Perhaps there are but few students of me-
chanical engineering who have not at some
period of their career had a fit for inventing.
Probably in the great majority of cases it was
our little puttenng with tools that was the
ultimate cause of our being students at Ste-
vens. We had our little workshop, which
always had that attraction, which made us
bestow upon it many of our spare moments
and much of our pocket money. But even
before we were old enough to handle a tool,
except an old jack-knife for which we swap-
ped a top and three China teapot agates, our
imaginations were at work devising some me-
chanical apparatus for our amusement.
What fun to begin to lay " imaginary quan-
tities" of water mains out in the back yard,
and before the trench is a foot deep, we have
rigged a tripod derrick out of three clothes
poles, some pulleys, the clothes line and a
water pail (the one used for drinking water, of
course; we couldn't find any other). How
we tugged and hoisted, showing our playmates
how far we had to pull the rope to hoist the
pail half the distance ; how the ropes got
twisted and ran off the pulleys, and at last —
snap goes the rope — dumping a whole pail of
dirt on our little brother who is digging down
below. Now we fill a tub with water, carry-
ing it to the second story, slopping it all over
the stairs and wall-paper, and then making a
siphon of a piece of old hose, we are ready
for our squirt. We try to start the flow by
sucking at the lower end, we think the water
is not coming, and are just about making a
second attempt when — spurt — out comes the
water, completely drenching us. Thus early
we begin with our inventing and experiment-
ing. Later comes the rigging of some old
clock works to a boat, railroad train or con^
tinuous ringing of some bell which we start in
the middle of the night by "pulling the
string." One day the clock stops. " Pa, le*
me fix it." " What, you, Charlie ?" " Yes, I
bet yer I can fix it." Well, so he lets you
try, and after much monkeying, lo and be-
hold ! it actually goes all right. Supreme mo-
ment of happiness, your destiny is settled from
that hour. And so, beginning with a few old
tools, we pass through the various stages of
our childhood, through canoe or boat build-
20
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
ing, and a double runner constructed after
our own notions, to the jig-saw and perhaps a
turning lathe, while some have even made an
actual running steam-engine.
Thus it is that the inventor, like the poet,
is not made, but is born. Thus we see the
germs sprouting and growing, until his home
is full of the products of his originality and
his handiwork. So when it is time for him to
choose his life labor, his talents are so well
defined that, if the means are at hand, he is
sent to intermingle with his natural founda-
tion a scientific education.
In looking around and noting different in-
ventors, we will find many of whom the fol-
lowing living person is a type. He is a man
of no mean ability, but has spent his life upon
small patents little needed by mankind. Hav-
ing depended upon his patents for a living, he
is consequently poor. Intense thinking on
one subject has made him cranky. He has
become thin, nervous and round shouldered.
When you talk with him it is painful to watch
him. He launches into his favorite subject.
Those black eyes snap at every word. The
nervous arms gesticulate more wildly than
those of a Hoboken Dutchman. He talks
incoherently, and if you do not understand
what he means at once, he thinks the fault is
in you and not in himself. He is next door
to crazy.
Now, boys, look out. We're not going to
revolutionize the world with a patent egg-
beater. And let us not get so far " gone "
on any subject as some of the " 'Stute boys "
are on the French governess on H St.
Now, although we have got to choose a life
work, and become interested in it, let us not
get as "cranky** over it as, in another sense
of the word, certain Profs, are. Let our
brains be at work on useful subjects, and our
inventive genius will bring credit to ourselves
and to Stevens. A.
«^ » »
A CAMERA-ITISH TALE.
With spring and pleasant weather comes the
season for picnics, summer excursions and
vacations, and along with these charming
recreations comes, too, the ever present
amateur photographer, the representative of
a mighty tribe. In your meanderings among
the mountains or seashore you find him and
his camera, with ail the adjustable automatic
patent contraptions conceivable, planted ready
for an "exposure." Thus it is that you are
prevented from taking your best girl out for a
walk along some favorite path, and yc
either compelled to leave her at home o:
the walk and treat her like a sister, ]
even think of casting a furtive and Ic
glance into her hazel eyes, even at the
templation of such a deed you are st
by a mysterious sound which to the tr
amateur fotografites is known as " takii
slide out, preparatory to an exposure."
tinning, if you do gaze into her bewit
orbs with a countenance beaming with i
tion, and she reciprocates the beam — c
click — six consecutive clicks, and you \
to the despairing reality that your be:
adoration has been transferred to six i
taneous dry plates, and you and youi
girl, beams and all, are booked for the a
ment of posterity.
Again, suppose you see a lovely spot
some mountain road, and you climb
enjoy its quiet and give yourself up to
templation, no sooner are you settled
feeling at ease in your supposed so
than a voice from somewhere calls out:
you please take your hat off for a m«
and move your left arm a little, so that
get in that waterfall. I've got an Am
Co.'s improved camera and one of S
quicker than lightning plates, and won'
turb you but for an instant." Being
accommodating spirit, you take your h
and your left arm assumes the desired
tion. "That's all," calls the voice, an(
are again contemplative. But shortly
the other side of your resting place cc
" Will you kindly ; " but those three
are sufficient, and you leave your quiet
and hurry away, leaving the amateur to
alone in his glory.
And so you travel to other parts, t
where you will the innocent looking c
and its " Will you kindly, etc.," accor
ment is sure to confront you. The trib
I a large and flourishing colony at the Ins
and we publish the experience of one •
" inveterates " in the West, believing
" points " may be gained by its perusal,
story as told by a western paper is as foi
"A breach of promise case is now penc
Marysville which exhibits some pc
features. It seems the defendant, a
man named Augustus Scudberry, is a m
of that rapidly increasing class of p'
known as amateur instantaneous photc
cranks. This individual had become j
thused over the achievements of Eur
photographers in obtaining negatives of
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
21
flying, horses running away, tigers seizing their
prey, etc., that he made himself a holy nui-
sance prowling around after people with his
portable camera, electric slides and things.
One day he would be found ambushed beside
the railway track, and filling up the switch
tcndere with beer, in the happy anticipation of
catching a good impression of a first class
smash up ; the next, he was trying to bribe
some dying man's family to allow him to take
a snap shot at the patient just when the death
rattle set in. In fact, it is stated that once,
when some miners were having a terrible
quarrel in a bar room, Scudberry suddenly
appeared in the doorway with his instrument
over his head and exclaimed excitedly :
"* Wait until I put on a dry plate before you
shoot, gentlemen ! Get your pistols ready and
fire together when I say three. I want to get
in all the flashes.' Well, as we were going to
say, this same Scudberry was engaged to a
girl named Pliflfey, and somehow had got the
idea into his head that Amelia — her name was
Amelia, and she wore a number four shoe,
wiiich is mighty good for a Marysville girl —
was untrue to him ; in fact, that she was still
encouraging the attentions of a dry goods clerk
named Boggs.
"So Scudberry, having just received an auto-
matic clock work attachment to his apparatus,
carried his machine over to his fiance's house
on pretence of taking the pictures of the
family. He took Amelia's mother in the act of
spanking the baby ; he took the baby in the
act of swallowing a pin ; took the cat in the act
ofcatchingamouse; took dinner and then took
his leave. Scudberry explained that he was to
be out of town that evening, and asked that his
camera be allowed to stand in the comer of the
parlor until his return the next day.
"That night Boggs, the alleged rival, called
on Amelia, and it is natural to suppose that
they were both unaware that the photographic
apparatus in the comer — the lens of which
was adjusted so as to rake the sofa fore and
aft, so to speak — ^was automatically adjusted
to take an instantaneous negative at precisely
11.30 p.m., that being the hour when the jealous
Scudberry supposed the festivities would be
in progress, if at all. At all events, the
coaple were startled at about that period by
a peculiar click from Scudberry's machine,
and which they understood better the next
day, when that gentleman indignantly broke
liis engagement and exhibited a picture which
lie sarcastically labelled *No. 461, Graeco
Roman Hugging Match.'
" Miss Pliffey immediately brought suit for
breach of promise, Boggs testifying that he
was only rehearsing a contemplated tableau
with the plaintiff. Meanwhile Scudberry has
filed the photograph as evidence, and the whole
town is waiting anxiously for the verdict."
-•-♦■
FL T.-(An Ode.)
Who is that lass with gait so light,
With eyes how bright,
And flowing tresses dark as night ?
Oh ! glory, men ! yes, glory all !
Before this beauty prostrate fall !
Venus has from heaven descended !
All our loathsome pains are ended,
All our briny tears are flown,
Lovely Venus reigns alone !
But mistake not ! Lovely Venus
Is a goddess, is ethereal ;
And this beauty is corporeal.
Therefore, mark well ! she's not Venus !
" Let me then be up and doing ;**
Beauty's charms are for the wooing !
Stepping slow,
I bow quite low.
And cheeks aglow.
So lovingly glancing
With looks how entrancing,
For listen ! List !
She softly cries :
*' Ah there, my size !**
But mark and hearken !
With eyes that "sparken,"
This earthly beauty
Is now my booty !
^«»
BILL.
AN INCIDENT OF BORDER LIFE.
They were rather a thriftless set at Jones's
Ranch. Somehow there had never been much
steadiness among them. There was always
something gloomy about Texas life on the
Border ; there was always something to ap-
prehend in a certain recklessness that infested
the place — a sense of having shifted outside
of the protection of divine and human laws.
The cattle dealers about Jones's had never
defined the rights of humanity. Their ideas
of religion were as unasserting as their moral
code. But there was a spirit of careless dar-
ing about this little colony of cosmopolites
that had penetrated even beyond the Colo-
rado Hills into the civilized life of East Texas.
And occasionally in the dusk of Autumn even-
ings, while the yellow red glow of the sky still
flooded the trembling sea of prairie grass and
flowers, some dusty, world-worn traveller
would struggle into camp and sit quite home-
like around the fire, where if not wholly wel-
comed he was seldom turned away. And so
the camp grew. But they had never flourished
22
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
regularly, and somewhere near the winter of
'79 things went wrong altogether. The cold
northers set in unexpectedly ; there had been
some heavy rainfalls already; the cattle were
poorly sheltered and ill-fed ; the provision
wagon had not been heard of on Jones's side
of the hills, and the northers had set in
vigorously. They were "clean stuck," Bill said.
And his opinion had not failed to carry weight.
Jones's set up to be quite a celebrity in a
literary line. In an obscure ignorant way it
was not without its appreciation of the power of
knowledge. And the neighborhood was pond-
ering over Bill's decision. The force of learn-
ing had of late often been a means of defence
to the boy, excusing a certain wildness of
habits and a disposition to prowl about the
neighboring chicken sheds. It was not as if it
had been mere theoretical matter — open to
question. The family of Bill boasted in the
possession of substantial proof. In a spirit of
ostentation they had hung over their chimney
place a rough hewn shingle, on which in
great straggling chalk letters the word "bIlL "
had been printed. It had happened a year
and more ago. Bill was just a little shaver
then, and he had stood one morning on the
door step of his father's cabin, slinging his
rough bare foot backward and forward in the
fresh, sweet April air, and idly expectorating
in the direction of his toes. Such games, how-
ever, were not common about the place. You
see, he was the only being that resembled a
child in the camp. His mother had come out
along with old Jones in the early days of the
settlement, and what with growing rapidly ac-
customed to the roughness of the men's ways,
and the gradual adoption of their more un-
obtrusive apparel, there was little of womanli-
ness left about the woman. But just about
seven years ago, somehow Bill was born, and
since then the crude, raw cow boys at the
ranch had regarded the mother with some-
thing of wonder and of shame. Fisty Bob, the
most lawless of her old companions, had
attempted once to define this feeling. " You
see," he said, " it kinder blowed a man to have
it flung up at him how he came into the
world arter such a fashion." But the child
grew to be something of a favorite with the
men. They looked upon him in the light of
their first native speculation. And though
the boy was one of them, standing on old
Jones's door step more than a year ago, there
had seemed to be little that resembled the
natural product about his drooping, tangled
curls of yellow hair, and the baby light of blue-
ness that still lingered in his wide op-
— ^making almost an active protesi
against the patient, tired outline of the
tant Colorado and the sluggish degrs
which was the atmosphere of the
That morning a party of strangers had
into camp. They had ridden over frc
Texas and were armed. They had coi
an idea of settling if the place suitec
One of the men had stopped to speak
"Is this the ranch, boy?" he aske
dunjio," the child responded coolly,
drawn himself up in a line of defenc
the woman had been listening inside
door. She put her head out. " Wh
matter wi' yer?" she screamed. "C
yertell 'im 'twas Jones's Ranch?" "C
he ask if 'twas Jones's Ranch ?" the t
The stranger threw back his head and
loudly. **What might the youngster
be ? " he questioned generally. And 1
thrust his brown, skinny wrists dee]
into the pockets of his bulgy breeches,
how he never seemed to grow up t
breeches. He looked up at the man sh
" What'll yer gimme if I tell yer?" 1
The strangers had departed the follow
The country did not please them,
would look farther out, they said. T
spoken rather contemptuously of the
the settler. " Praps he calculated r;
fine crop of buzzards," one of them su
jocosely. ** You should move farther
argued. " I tell you there's gold in th
of the river." But the cattle dealer
a progressive man. His organ of spe<
was rude and undeveloped. " If C
Jack and Fisty would go," he remarkec
what dubiously. And in general, whe
ness was concerned, there was an abf
liveliness about the inhabitants of
Ranch. The man had taken a fancy
He had shown him how to print his na
shingle with a bit of chalk stone. "
much gold in the banks of the rive
child had asked curiously.
Things were now looking badly,
last seven days had brought no c
The storm continued to rage wit!
violence, and a party of men, who 1
the ranch the day before, scouring t
for stray cattle, returned with a rep(
the streams were greatly swollen — t
" big " ford was up. The provision wa,
not been heard of on Jones's side
hills. Along the camp loud sounds •
rymaking and boisterousness issued frc
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
23
lelujah roost, as " Califomy's " cabin was
called, where the boys were drowning the re-
sponsibilities of a dreaded to-morrow in the
whiskey that still held out through to-day.
But the woman was alone — sitting on the
hearth of Jones's cabin, with her rough, un-
kempt head resting dejectedly against an old
wooden bench. There was a sullenness
about the silence in the room. It was not
that her old hardihood had gone from her.
It was not that she drooped under what had
been endured, or that she could not yet have
borne still more. It was that she could not
bear it alone. Apart from the men for whom
she had given her all, there arose a vision of
the old life — the old comparative sinlessness.
And the woman wept. The child had found
her thus and had gone out and left her, clos-
ing the door with rough kindness behind him.
Perhaps there was something that touched the
boy in the tears of the only woman he ^ had
ever known. They were the only tears he
had ever seen. After awhile he turned sud-
denly and again thrust his head in at the
door. " Yer hev me ter look ter," he said.
And he drew himself up with a new sense of
responsibility. The woman lifted her head
wearily. " Yer was always a good little un.
Bill," she answered. Just then a fresh,
rough burst of hilarity was heard along the
ranch. Presently the door of the roost
opened, and Fisty Bob stumbled out and
along the prarie road. The boy put his hands
up to his mouth. "Fi-i-sty!" he called.
The man turned. " Hove ahead, old pard ! *'
was the answer, and the child, running, caught
up with him and swung on to his arm. He had
an old, cast off spade in his hands. " Which
way is the Yedda, Fisty ? " he asked, panting
breathlessly. The man nodded. **Yer'd
have to take it dem straight, Billy," he ans-
wered, sportively. And thus they walked
along, the man and the boy together, farther
and still farther on. In the last hour the rain
had ceased to fall, and the sunlight, struggling
with the clouds, lent an appearance of murki-
ness to the atmosphere. It was very cold,
and as they walked their heavy leggings
sunk at every step into the wet sod of the
plains. In the indefinite light the individual-
ity of the man and of the boy seemed to blend
into a solitary figure of motion, amid the
great sea of prairie stillness.
The following day the provision wagOn
had driven up to the ranch. It was received
with such a greeting as men, even of reckless
natures, usually give to life and security
when they have all but felt the breath and
looked into the jaws of death. The clouds
had drifted away ; the sun shone once more
brightly, and the weather moderated. The
teamsters, a couple of Mexican herders, had
seen rough weather on the trip, but they had
come safely into camp at last. It was
not until the noon of the day afterward that
the boy was discovered to be missing. Nor
did he "turn up," as the "lassie," a brawny
Texan, had predicted, either that day or
the next. And on the third morning the
clouds gathered again suddenly, and the rain
fell in overwhelming torrents through the day.
Toward night some one knocked at the door
of Jones's cabin. Several of the men were
drinking and playing poker around the fire,
and there was a tipsy shout of welcome when
the door opened to disclose the dark, hag-
gard figure of Fisty. " The rain had held up,"
he said hoarsely. " He was off arter the
boy. They could come if they liked." As
he spoke, the wind whistled shrilly through
the chinks in the cabin walls and in at the
open door. The cattle dealer glanced at the
long necked black bottle on the table, and
then at the resolute attitude of the man
standing in the doorway. He shivered. "And
blasted if I don't call ! " he cried excitedly a
minute afterward, and spread his hand, four
greasy, finger marked kings out upon the
board. " Not to-night. Bob, old chap," he
added feebly. " Not to-night." For a mo-
ment there was some commotion among the
men around the table. Hot, heavy words,
uttered in thick and scarcely intelligible voices,
deafened the silence. And then the woman
got up from her comer and pinned an old army
blanket over her head and shoulders. "I'll
walk a piece with yer, Fisty," she said. The
man at the door turned his head rather
awkwardly out into the uncomfortable night.
"It's no fit tramp for yer, pardner," he ob-
jected not unkindly. But the woman ans-
wered almost fiercely : " Who should go out
arter him sooner than her as brung him into
misery ! " And the man waited outside in
silence, stamping his ill-covered, frozen feet
for warmth against the bare, frozen earth.
They had not gone alone. One and another
of the men had joined them ; at first with
lighted torches, which, however, in the high
winds on the prairie were soon extinguished.
As they passed the roost even Califomy had
sauntered out with an assumption of his usual
gay humor. " He would take a hand in the
deal," he remarked ; " though 'peared like
24
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
'twas a losing game." There was a good deal
of talking among the boys ; rough, uncouth
anecdotes of exploits with the pistol and the
rope ; anecdotes from their purely personal
nature at times becoming dangerous, and the
occasional notes of a profane drinking song.
But as the night wore on, a sense of depres-
sion and of silence fell upon the little band.
The atmosphere grew clearer, and at length
the moon shone whitely, steadfastly above
them, casting long, softening lines of light
across the plains and the dark, hard features
of the men. It was late when they reached
the river — the thin, small stream of theYedda,
which was now a roaring, tossing flood of un-
controllable waters, spreading far and wide
over and beyond its banks. Instinctively the
men had sought the river, and instinctively
they lingered, wandering helplessly, forlornly
up and down its shores. Something in the
greedy roaring of the whirlpool seemed to tell
them that ihey need not seek further. And a
little more than a mile up the river they came
across the spade the boy had last been seen
with, fastened securely in the ground, at the
head of what seemed to them a new and shal-
low grave. The men wondered. " He were
always a queer little chap," one of them said.
And they were never to know — perhaps they
would not even have understood the foolish,
ignorant love thai had sacrificed the life of the
child. For suddenly, as they retraced their
steps, there had been a terrible cry, and Fisty
Bob was struggling in the surging mass of
water, swimmmg with vigorous and resolute
strokes in the direction of a whirlpool of
debris and uprooted tree trunks— and what
seemed in the strange uncertain glimmer of
the moonlight — he had reached it, this dreaded
something ! He had taken a firm hold upon
it ! No ; the resistless force of the torrent
had borne him down. And now again the
great strength of the man had prevailed. He
had grasped his burden almost fiercely, and
came powerfully, laboriously toward the
shore. It was then that the little group of
watchers on the land lost sight of him once
more in the bellowing, relentless current. A
few breathless seconds elapsed, and suddt;nly
he appeared again almost near them. He had
stemmed the torrent. A do«n men rushed
recklessly into the river to drag them back to
land. A dozen hands were extended to re-
lieve him of his burden. But the man, weak
and tottering, pushed them from him, and
smoothed with a certain tenderness the little
head of mattod, yellow hair, " Ver see.
pardners," he said, smiling feebly, "
set store by the chap."
They laid him in the hollow that i
himself had dug by the side of the r
their ignorance they imagined that i
wish. And Califomy, grumbling, toe
coat from his own back to wrap t
lifeless figure. " Such a blasted cold
he added, in a general sort of apolo)
group. But the woman stood ap
tionless and silent. "'Feared like
enough," Fisty had muttered, dra
wet coat sleeve sheepishly across
And so the men still lingered dou
gardless alike of the merciless clc
gathered overhead and the more
increasing torrent — lingered until
that had swept the mother's soul,
more potent than the senseless, rockir
broke forth into one long, comp
wail, and she fell forward In the sa
ing upon God to help her. In the
moments the men had gathered c
gether, looking out upon the irresol
of water and over the drearier plains.
for the chap," one of them said at la
one after another, Califomy last of
knelt around the woman as she lay si
the sands. They did not pray. '
not know the words of any prayer —
knelt in awkward silence. And \
was enough.
A part of this, among some othi
was told to me in '80, down at Hawl
the rest I have only guessed roughly
was at Hawley's that I first made the
ance of the man they called " Fis
He was not an attractive looking n
ihey said he was leading a respec
there, and entirely supported the '
his old companion, Jones.
The New York, West Shore & Bui
way Co. have adopted for a portion
line, what they consider the best ;
automatic block signals that could
The portion thus supplied with the
the thirteen miles of track south of
and was equipped by Mr. George
house, of Pittsburgh. It combines 1;
matic and electric signals, the powei
pressing the air being furnished b}
horse power engines, located at each
of that portion of the line. The cc
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
25
air is conveyed through a pipe laid between
the tracks, and at requisite distances sema-
phore signals for each track are placed, con-
nected by a pipe with the main air pipe.
These signals are operated by compressed air
cylinders, and are controlled by short circuit-
ing electric currents, the current passing
through the wheels and axles of the train,
from rail to rail. When a train passes into
the block, the signal immediately behind the
train shows danger. In addition, every
switch upon this portion is so connected with
the circuit in the track, that whenever the
switch is opened, or a car standing upon the
side track is removed to a point where it will
mterfere with traffic, danger signals are in-
stantly shown. Two drawbridges are also
connected with this system in the following
manner : When a train passes over a point
8,000 feet from the bridge, an electric bell at
the bridge is sounded continuously until the
train has passed over a second point, 7,000
feet from the bridge, when the gong ceases to
sound and the draw is locked by electricity.
If, however, the draw be open before the train
has arrived at the above-named points, a
danget signal is automatically set by the turn-
ing of the draw. Should any break or other
accident occur in the system, all signals are
set at danger until the break has been re-
paired. Thus all responsibility of accidents
happening to trains in this section of the line,
rests solely upon the engineer of the train,
everything depending upon his observance of
the signals.
Mr. John Collett, State Geologist of Indiana,
has been making experiments in regard to the
crystallization of iron when subjected to a
continuous strain, and has come to the con-
clusion that the best iron bridges, especially
those of railways, will inevitably become dan-
gerous from continuous use. Specimens of
iron which Mr. Collett has collected were to
We been sent here for Professor Thurston's
•
investigation, but these have not yet reached
here. Mr. Collet is, however, quite mistaken
when he declares all railroad bridges to be
open to this objection. He has probably been
examining some of the older bridges, which
have since been subjected to heavier loads
than they were intended to carry. The
^Tiurican Engineer criticises Mr. Collett
stoongly, and says that a well built, properly
dimensioned and properly cared for iron bridge
is a permanent structure in the strictest sense
<rf the word, and as safe after fifty years of
service as after the day it was opened for
traffic. Attention is called to the fact that
there is a great difference in the concentrated
wheel loads of a freight engine built twenty
years ago and the modern consolidation
engine. There is no need to look to crystal-
lization for explanation of the wearing out of
these bridges, when the present methods of
loading, and the old methods of dimensioning
in iron, are understood and appreciated.
A rotary snow shovel has been invented by
a Canadian, intended for use in railroad snow
blockades. It consists of a screw constructed
like a huge post hole cutter, and is operated
in a similar manner, being mounted on a
strong steel plate frame. The screw cuts into
the snow, slicing away the drift and throwing
it into a revolving fan, which projects it
through a shoot, delivering it in a stream to
one side of the railway. The power is sup-
plied by a double cylinder engine, which, with
boiler, water tank and coal bunkers, is carried
on a heavy double truck car. The cutting
screw and the carrying fan turn in opposite
directions, so that the snow, put in motion in
a direction opposite to that in which the
screw is revolving, is caught by the fan and
projected to a distance in the same direction.
< ^ » »-
d. d. w»
Contrary to the expectations of many, the
S. S. S. has been quite successful with its
sociables. The first of the series has been
already described, and the duty of* picturing
the second one falls to my lot. Last Wed-
nesday evening heralded the second of the
series of sociables given by the Stevens Senior
Social, and notwithstanding the inclemency of
the weather, all who were expected made
their appearance. A pleasant change was
noticed in the hall, the walls being tastily
decorated with a number of large flags, tennis
rackets and lacrosse sticks. Everything about
the hall had a home-like and pleasing appear-
ance, and when at nine o* clock the band
struck up the first waltz, every one knew that
the success of number two was assured. At
eleven there was an intermission, after which
the cotillion began under the excellent leader-
ship of Mr. Glasgow, and continued with but
a short intermission for more than two hours.
The favors were very pretty, and will help
serve as remembrances of a very enjoyable
evening. At two o'clock every one had gone
home tired out, but with smiles of satisfaction
on their faces at the second success of the
S. S. S. Elgy.
I
\
26
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
^he S^eve^g IndieatoP.
rUBU&HBO ON TMB
IBth \>F EACH MONTH. DURING THE COLLEGE YEAN.
BY THB
INDICATOR PUBLISHING COMPANY,
^teVen^ Institute of Tecjnolos]. '
TERMS :— fl.SO per Yetr. in AArance. Sinolo Copy. 20 CMtt.
I>M< QP« M
dSM
Extra copUs can be obtained at Lutkin^s book store,
Hoboken^ N, J,
Subscribers will please immediately notify us of any
change in their addresses or failure to receive the paper
regularly.
The writer s full name^ as well as his NOM DB PLUME,
must accompany the article ^ as assurance of good faith
and reliability ; but it will not be published^ unless desired.
Exchanf^es, contributions ^ subscriptions, advertisements
and all other communications by mail, should be addressed
to The Stevens Indicator, Stevens Institute, Hoboken,
N.J.
IN our January number we have introduced
two illustrations, kindly furnished by Mr.
Williams, 'St;. It is our intention to continue
this as often as convenient, but not to con-
sider it a standing feature of the Indicator.
The new headings for the different depart-
ments of our paper have also been designed
by Mr. Williams, who without doubt well de-
serves the reputation he enjoys in the Institute
of being quite an original artist. Now that
the new Board of the Indicator has over-
come its inertia, and is in working condition,
we hope to be able to improve our journal
with every additional number. Inviting the
students and others to make free use of our
columns for any communications, we beg the
hearty support of all interested in our enter-
prise.
WE notice with pleasure the evident in-
terest with which the students regard
the idea of taking up the study of Political
Economy. That our course in Logic is so ex-
tensive as to be well nigh superlative, is ad-
mitted by all ; no one denies the fact that,
isidering the two subjects as connected with
our business, it should entirely supplant
rather than be neglected. But this
necessary ; we should have some knowle
the fundamentals of Logic, and of this 1
edge we certainly can obtain a sui
amount in one-half the time now allotte
would seem that the time thus left free
be spent in the study of Political Ec<
with such good results as to warrant the
ening of the course in Logic.
The plan proposed by one of the stu
in a communication which appeared i
December number, seems to us an ex<
suggestion, and it may be well to re]
here. The idea is to give to Logic on(
only, and to take up Political Econor
other term. For instance, it is propoj
take up English Literature during the '.
man year, and during the Sophomore >
study Fowler's English Language, Logi
Political Economy, giving to each one
It is evident that it would be more suitj
take up Literature during the first year.
Freshman's tender mind would more
grasp that subject than the other mo
vanced studies.
Seriously speaking, even our Profes
Belles Lettres seems to be in favor of Pc
Economy, as shown by the essay s
which he has given the Sophomore cla
this month. The subject referred i
" What are the advantages and disadva
of a division of labor to the public, t
ployers, and to the employed ? " T
is easily seen, is without doubt, a subjc
eluded only under Political Economy, a
giving the students such a subject for an
it is plain that he thereby shows his ap
of its being studied. Is it too much fo
hope that we shall see this change in th
catalogue ?
*^» *
r^0rCfl5P0R GARBS.
S. I. T. Glee Club.— On Tuesday, Fel
lo, most of the members of the Football
and a few others assembled as usual t
McLean's residence to hold the weekly bu
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
27
meeting of the Glee Club. Mr. W. S. Dilworth,
in his capacity of business manager, reported
that no collections had been received either
from the Freshmen or from the Senior Class
committee. (Applause of the Sophomores and
Juniors !) It was decided that the concert be
Held in the second week of March. A com-
mittee, consisting of Messrs. Burhorn and
McLean, has been appointed to assist Mr.
Dilworth in making the arrangements ; tickets
vrill be ready before long, while the programme
wll probably not be drawn up till next
month. I'he interest evinced by " young
Hoboken" during the practice singing, entered
upon after the meeting, was great. They
crowded Bloomfield Street in front of the
liouse whence the music was ** escaping"
(later in the form of the club's little man, Mr.
Hart), and very soon after a few howls of ap-
probation, stone bouquets were thrown at the
door and windows. Mr. Hart, who somehow
did not appreciate this homage, soon made
them " skip," as we have intimated above.
Mr. J. S. Camp, the director of the club,
has " snap " enough for a dozen college glee
clubs; in our place, he is "making things
bum," as the boys say. We do not hesitate
at all to say that, considering the work done
at present by our football men, or rather
ikc-trs^ and with the assistance of Mr. Camp,
the concert will be of a character which will
pennit of favorable comparison with the va-
rious attempts of other colleges.
Brainard, '84, the president of last year's
club, will probably be the warbler of the occa-
sion. Messrs. Bristol, Mitchell and Thomas,
'84, have been elected honorary members.
Those desiring to encourage the club may
do so by securing tickets from any of the
following committee, exclusive of the business
manager : Baldwin and Clark, '85 ; Cotiart
and Morton, '86 ; Flack and Hart, '87 ; and
McLean and Hubbard, '88.
Remember, also, that all you do for the
glee club will go also toward starting the
gymnasium fund, for the benefit of which
another concert will be held if the first one
prove successful.
Prof. Leeds has lately called the attention
of the Junior class to the state of the labora-
tory. He remarked to them in his customary
humorous way that " somehow papers and
weak acids — as aqua regia — found their way
to the floor without anybody's assistance."
Now he will hold every student directly re-
sponsible for the condition of his immediate
surroundings. We fully sympathize with the
Professor in this matter, and would only add
that he forbid the perambulations of some of
the men, who meander all over the room ask-
ing everybody "whether these fumes (and
here they poke the sweetly-smelling stuff right
under one's nose) are those of acetic ether or
burnt feathers." On the other hand we
would also suggest that the supplies of re-
agents, instead of being out of sight whenever
they are needed, be placed under the jurisdic-
tion of one of the assistants, who, however,
must not then be playing tag at the distance
of ^'w^ miles from the Institute. The incon-
venience of having only two water-sinks for
the whole room is also felt very severely. Still
we agree with Prof. Leeds in thinking it is
possible to keep the laboratory in a relatively
decent condition by the co-operation of stu-
dents with assistants.
■♦-^
SOCIAL.
Professor Thurston's reception to the mem-
bers of the Senior Class occurred on January
30, and was one of the most pleasant affairs
of an unusually gay season. The class was
received by Professor and Mrs. Thurston, to-
gether with Miss Thurston and Miss Bough-
ton, who came down from Vassar for the oc-
casion, ably assisted by several of their young
lady friends from Hoboken and vicinity. The
hum of conversation was interspersed with
selections by the Glee Club, which was in ex-
* cellent voice. About half past ten a collation
was served, after which was more music by
the Club, ending in an open air serenade, and
later dancing was indulged in.
Professor and Mrs. Wall, and Miss Wall,
assisted by a number of young ladies, held a
very pleasant reception on Saturday, February
9. The Senior Class, together with several
members of the faculty, with their wives, were
present. Tea was served at five o'clock by the
young ladies, and after a pleasant chat the
guests left at an early hour.
Prof. MacCord entertained a few of the
Seniors on Friday the 6th inst. The evening
was spent in a very pleasant manner with
games, cards, etc.
« ^ » >
GRADUATION EXERCISES.
The exercises to take place at this year's
commencement have not yet been definitely
settled upon. The graduating exercises will
not, in all probability, differ from those of
28
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
previous years ; but in those preceding gradu-
ation there will be some new departures,
prominent among which is a proposed excur-
sion. The proposition is favorably regarded
by the greater portion of the class ; but its
feasibility, and, if practicable, the best method
of carrymg it out, have not yet been settled.
The committee are continuing their investi-
gations, and we shall, doubtless, before
very long have definite information with
regard to it. Another new feature which
has been proposed is a ball, which was to have
been held before commencement ; but it is
thought advisable by many to postpone it un-
til commencement, when it will be rendered
much more pleasant by the presence of the
relatives and friends of the students. Both of
these projects, if they can be carried out at a
reasonable expense, would be very pleasant :
whether they shall be held, and if so, in what
manner, remains to be decided.
THE COLLEGE PIN.
There are chronic growlers everywhere, and
here at Stevens we evidently have our full
share. Not long ago we had occasion to men-
tion those who continually growled at the
officers of the Athletic Association, and who,
when asked to support said association, that it
might be run more in accordance with their
own ideas, promptly shook their heads. Even
the Indicator m its |)ast history has fallen
somewhat under this evil ; but the latest ob-
ject of attack of the chronic growler has been
the College Pin.
Just before Thanksgiving, a joint com-
mittee, consisting of three men each from the
Junior, Sophomore and Freshman classes, met
to sec about procuring designs and estimates
for the College Pin. Soon after the members
of the committee submitted designs from sev-
eral pn)minent manufacturing jewellers, but
these were set by until the college had been
given a chance to send in desi^s. The in-
terest shown by the students m this matter
was entirely in keeping with their wonted in-
ditTerence to anything relating to the college.
At a meeting in December, the committee
}^ssed judgment on more than a dozen de-
signs, and selected several of them to be
placed on the bulletin Kvard* with a notice
that the ct^mmittee had selected them to be
voted upon. Another notice was )>osted
•oUciting contributions of designs from the
students. This was a golden opportui
the chronic growlers. They gathered
the bulletin board and uttered anathem:
the committee. No one contributed
signs, but all were willing to criticise t
the committee. Altogether the colle
more stirred up than it had been f
months. The designs were taken dow
ever, in order to give some of the
growlers a chance to draw some ad
designs, and were not put up until ai
holidays.
Up to this time the matter had n
strictly a college affair, as the Seniors \
the matter upon the table at their las
meeting. A college meeting was now
and the committee reported that a sec
of designs had been on the bulletin be
a week. The designs were then
sketched upon the blackboard, and a
the college taken. The college was <
between a bevel gear wheel, surmount(
governor, designed by Mr. Kolb, '88 ;
wheel set upon a Maltese cross, bear
college colors in enamel ; and a pla
wheel, with the college colors in enai
tween the spokes. The vote tied on tv
resulting in another ballot, which ga
choice to the last mentioned pin. A
was made to adopt that as the colh
After an animated discussion the mot
put and declared lost, A motion wj
made to refer the matter back to th
mittee, with instructions not to be lira
price.
A member of the committee took
the first designs— which had been l<
on account of its price — and modified
Kolb also made another drawing of \
altering it slightly. The chairman c
class committee canvassed his class fo
and at a college meeting held the sam<
noon it was reported to the college t
vote, 75 per cent, of the students had
the first design as modified. The i
accepted the report and carried the i
making this design the College Pin.
The pin consists of a gear wheel, sur
ed by a transit, above which is a goven
the centre of the wheel is a front vie
locomotive, while underneath the whe
ribbon bearing the legend, 8 — stevi
in black enamel.
Those wishing to procure pins may
by handing their order, cu'companied
cash^ to Mr. Merritt, '86 ; Mr. Theber
or Mr. Kolb, '88.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
31
tions published in the " Sliiffing Box " of the
last number of The Indicator. He says that
we either would or could not distinguish be-
tween increasing and decreasing functions.
According to him, " the greater the ignorance
the smaller the safety." If that be the case,
*e would suggest to ihe professor that he
change the ijrinciple ; instead of
" The factor of safety is a factor of igno-
rance," he may state that
" The factor of safety is a factor of -.
Ignorance.
Here comes a yaller dog. What is his
naine ? It is James Donaldson. Is he ever
called James Donaldson ? No ; life is too
short for that. What then do they call the
yaller dog? He is called Donald. Has he
any other name ? Yes, he is sometimes called
" Jersey Lightning." What is " Jersey Light-
ning?" It is a mixture of H,S and C^H^O.
Is it a patent medicine ? Yes, it is the inven-
tion of o. w. janitor. What does it cure ? It
cures colds, headache, etc. Would it cure the
W)ld in the editor's room when there is no
steam on ? That depends on how much there
's in the bottle. Where can I gel this patent
medicine? You might put up a notice on the
pulletin board. What is a bulletin board f It
IS the place where o. w. janitor puts the board-
J^'g house advertisements. Do they have
"Warding houses here? Well, some; as, for
"tample, the Police Court and the Tingle
Tangle. What is that last place ? It is a
place where you can get HaS+C,H,0. Will
you show me the way to the Tingle Tangle ?
"'s rather guess not ; ask o. w. janitor.
Scene in one of the Junior recitation rooms;
Qeath like stillness sticks out all over every-
thi
ing;,
n strained positions, hardly
<*aring to breathe; a musty smell
primary -school -number- one A. D. 1812 hue
predominate ; a scarcely perceptible noise is
»eard from the back of the room ; the Prof.
glares steadily and immovably at the origin
^f coordinates of the noise, while the students
twild their breaths and await the explosion of
'^^ dynamite (interval of five minutes); finally
1 student is called up ; by some chance his
^y*^ wander from the Prof. ; another round
IS had with Deathlike Stillness (interval of ten
"finutes, during which it is so still that the
silence stops eleven watches and the self-feed-
iiiS stove) ; every lung is paralyzed pro tern. ;
t™ disintegration of (he nitro-glycerine is
SKondly expected ; the student on his feet
i ihinks that every minute will be his next ;
several students get black in the face ; but a
relief party is heard approaching ; a jangling
of chains and clicking of toe nails herald the
coming of the Deliverer. Ha ! he slops at
the door; will he come in and break the spell,
or will he go on up the six flights of stairs ?
he sniffs the odor laden air ; with a sense
long trained he finally separates the H,S from
a familiar perfume, and rushes in the refrigera
— or rather room ; the spell is broken ; the
nitro-glycerine explodes in the form of
NEXT ! ! And the procession moves on,
minus one member, who fell a victim by the
wayside, but verily he will appear unto us
again at the next seance. Selah !
Van Nostrand's magazine for February is as
interesting as usual, and we wish for more to
study the valuable matter contained in it.
We are glad to see that the North- IVestcrn
hopes to get a new cover before long. We
think a great deal of a neat, attractive cover.
We are amused by the new kind of novel
issued by the Yale Record. The thought is a
new and happy one. We look forward with
pleasure to the next "standard novel." The
style might be called short, and an ideal of
the cheap literature.
We are always glad to receive the Polytech-
nic. It never fails in being interesting in all
its departments. The January number con-
tains a short sketch of some of the earlier and
later works of George Eliot, which is well
discussed. We congratulate the Polytechnic.
From The Michigan Argonaut we learn of
the lack of a gymnasium at the University of
Michigan. There seems to be too much talking
there, as here, and no doing. We can heartily
sympathize with them in that matter, and we
agree that too much talking is done. We
think our exchange is to be congratulated on
its news departments.
Aniuiig our exclianges we see a new one,
Tfu Holead, and as we read pieced of it we
are favorably impressed. Its principal article
' is on Edgar Allan Poe, his life and character.
The Holcad is not bO elaborately gotten up as
32
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
some of ourexchanges, but it will hold its own
with all for the good sense of its articles.
Mechanics for February, as usual, is full of
information. Links in thf history of the loco-
motive occupies a prominent place. It
tains a fac -simile of a sketch of the Rocket,
taken in 1830 by Mr, Nasmith. We are al
ways struck by the excellence of the illustra-
tions.
We are glad to see the change in the cover
of the Burr-. The design is a good one and
we are not one bit surjirised that the Burr
should adopt the color of The Stevens Indi-
cator. We admire their taste. If the Burr
would only follow The Indicator in some
other respects, fewer editorials, for example,
we have no doubt it would be much improved.
We are indeed sorry to have fjiven the
Eighty-Four the idea that we think it a
rival. No, we do not consider it such. That
the " 84 " will hold its members together we
are sure, and we wish great su<cess. It is very
interesting to us to read over the letters from
some of the old friends we have formed here,
and to see how they are getting on during this
their first year of work. May we ask the
F.i^hty-Four for its continued support.
To us the most interesting article in The
American Engineer is on the Critical Methods
of Delecting Errors in Plane Surfaces. One
method used is that of rays reflected into a tele-
scope from the surface to be tested. Another,
by means of the spherometer, for which it
is claimed the capability of detecting errors
bordering on one-five-hundred-thousandth of
an inch. The same article is concluded in the
next number of the paper. Both numbers are
full of interest.
Time allows us to glance only at the two
copies of the WiUiams Aihemeum just come.
The usualvariety and interest is seen and" No.
54" is a good sample of the "That won't
go down,"
The Virginia University magazine comes
to hand just in time. It is, as usual, interest-
ing and good. It contains several long articles,
among which "Oliver Goldsmith" occupies
the prominent place.
The following are at hand : The Amherst
Student, The Chronicle, Da Pauti> Monthly,
The Electrician and Electrical Engineer, Tech.,
The Lafayette, The Weekly Courier, Queen's
College Journal.
An exchange has an article entitled"
Hgion at Harvard." It is not known \~
got there, — Boston Post.
The dudes of '86 have to carry lead
in their pockets in the Chemical hsJtyoiaXasf
now, as the draught is so strong in the
Little Johnny went to a full dress dimitit
the other day, and when he came home
mother asked him what the ladies wore ?
don't know," he said, I forgot to look undCf
the table,"
Aspecimen of class room wit: Prof,: "GeO«
tlemen will please close their books."
a lapse of a few seconds, observing that \
polite command had not been obeyed, 1
adds : " Those who are not gentlemen w
please close their books," — Brooklyn Union.
The '87 man who " understands Oennui
tolerably well and can sometimes carry
conversation in the language," has evidently
got away ahead of his class, judging fTom die
glaringlegend pinned up on the bulletin board,
' Wanted : a Die Anna-Lise ; apply to w, f, d,
c," etc.
An inventor of Parkesburg, W. Va., is
])orted to have discovered a substance that U
as impervious and durable as glass, and like it,
a non-conductor of electricity, and useful lot'
many purposes. It cannot be broken by ordi-
nary means ; acids have no effect upon it,and
it can be used as a substitute for India rubber.
— Brooklyn Union.
Gracie (aged 7): "Oh, pa, did you knoW'
brother Bill was sick T' Fond Father: " Yoii^
must say Will, not Bill, my daughter. What
ailsyourbrother?" Gracie (carefully): "Why,
ma says he's — he's bil — willious," Readen-
desiring to laugh at the above will see ninth
page for full directions, diagram, etc. If not
satisfactory, send stamp and receive by return
mail ene bag of laughing gas. No laugh, do
pay. — Washington Hatchet.
||v^^|i\(]i^&loP
^
^
^^
,2. m- mfti»el2, 1885. *
120.3.
Con5E/)5g.
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liXU!^
r«^or an<f tH* goRoofrna'am,
33
i^»r Qorring* ani Rt4 ^«o£ S^atC,
33
it Uni«,
3S
d Sirftt (SoTi* Co 2Ce«en*, lil..
36
37
1 iC fje 5ijn«*,
38
^c»nC SfaMM at ^Uwn*,
39
■tng lUtu,
39
■rii».
4°
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+>
toafion;
4*
arn^nC floZM,
fanoe, -
Sif»c (3fu6,
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1 ^ndtiCuU 9f Nining SnginKrA.
44
toof ru.rM,
4*
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^^^^^^^^^
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^^^^^^H
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^^V * /teysBj lojHbte OFSwI^Dolofy. *
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
THE
Stevens Institute of Technology,
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, ^^
FOUNDED BY TllK LATE EDWIN A. STEVENS.
k\
HOBOKEN. N. J.
HENRY MORTON Ph. D..
ALFRED M. MAVER. Ph. D..
ROBERT H. THrjRSTON. A. M., C. E.,
DE VOLSON WOOD. C. E.,
C. W. McCORD. A. M
ALBERT R. LEEDS, Ph.D.
CHARLES F. KROEH. A. M.. .
REV. EDWARD WALL. A. M..
J. E. DENTON. M. E
A. RIESENBEKGER. M. E.,
C. A. CARR. Ass I EngV U S. N..
W. E. GEYER. Ph. D
President-
Prof. Physia*
Prof. Mech. Enginecriiif*
Prof. Math, and Mechanicrf
Prof. Mech. Drawing
Prof Chemistry'-
Prof. Languages)
Prof. Belles-jettrei j
Prof, of Experimental Mechanics and Shopwork|
Instructor in Mech. Drawing'
Prof, of Marine Engineering and Instructor in Mathematics .
Prof, of Applied Electricity ;
'I I*' •.••i:i-i' ill '\\*i, ^^:^:^ *'n> In<;!'M
of a M»r''i;-:ii«. .li ri';/ii# ci. I'i\ l:ifi! • II
'* i:i ••' f't;ir years tli'.raii-i'i. an.! 'rover.- all that ..j.-^crtan-: to the frufcssiott
\v-..ikO.-'i|v- ,:ro\i-!0'i will. o\L"i!s-nt ir.a'.'hinery. l'i.vNji,.il 1.?.: ••.r.-tortrs vh-we
■ '111 tli..' tino-l <..il«MjM* of 1 n ••:•.::. •jsii:'. cvciv •:m • if.rii.iv w: the a%,'r.;'.5ii:yft ,
of th(iroiu-:i .\\\\ ji.ii tscn! kno\\l».(]i;L is r.fTi;i«le;l. W'X fuvllicr pairi- 'x .\x> .vMr^'ss !ho rrc-. i-.T:'
IT. Mf )HTON. Hobokou. N. J.
STEVENS HIGH SCHOOL.
THE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT
.<»r riii:
STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,
RIVER STREET, bet. 5th and cih. HOBOKEN, N. J..
OPENS SEPTEMBER 17, 1884.
ExaminatiDna for Admission on the IBtr; ani :6ih of £ep*-err.ter.
INSTRUCTION GIVEN IN THE ANCIENT AND MODERN LANGUAGES; IN FREE-
HAND AND MECHANICAL DRAWING.
JUNIOR DEPARTMENT,
SENIOR DEPARTMENT,
. 860.00 PER ANNUM.
• 8I60.00 PER ANNUM.
Th.i»tt« terius include all the sluiliefc.
For Catalcguea apply to the I*lbrarian of Stevena Institute.
'elloWecl *J\cl l\p laelloWeJ/X
1
THEt
jSTfeeve^^s JfldiQal©!^.
Vol. 2.
HOBOKEN, N. J., MARCH, 1885.
No. J.
A FACT.
It was a land surveyor,
With his mysterious load
Of bright, three legged instruments,
Came striding down the road.
And just before the district school
He paused to take a sight,
And all the children came and stared
At his theodolite.
The little schoolma*am hurried out,
To see what caused the stir,
.\nd one and all they took the man
For a photographer.
" And oh ! " the little schoolma'am cried,
" How happy I should be
If you would take our likenesses —
My scholars all, and me."
The man (he was a wily wag).
Replied : '* 'Twould cost a sight
To photograph a district school
With a theodolite ! "
But still the little schoolma'am begged,
And longed to have her way.
She searched her pocket book, and found
Two dollars she could pay
He said : '* Although that isn't much
For taking such a view,
Yoa*re so bard up for likenesses
I guess I'U make it do !"
The schoolma'am scrubbed her little ones
With lavish soap and care,
And straightened down their pinafores
And ** slidced " their stubborn hair.
And then it was a goodly sight
To view that stiS thirteen ;
Six boys and girls on either side,
The schoolma'am in between.
His big bandana then he spread,
And 'neath it took a look ;
And sighted them sufficiently
And laughed until he shook.
The picture promising to send.
Nor waiting for the pay,
This graceless man took up his traps
And hurried on his way.
The picture — it was but a sketch
In pencil, nothing more —
Of those thirteen confiding ones
Grouped round the school house door.
And underneath \^\% photograph
Was writ : *' This is the sight
I took by Smithville's district school
Through my theodolite."
— Independent.
< # » >
COMMANDER GORRINGE AND HIS
GREAT WORK.
In aH probability there is in modem times
no great work of engineering which created so
great excitement at the time, and was so soon
forgotten, as the transportation of the obelisk
from Alexandria to New York. This obelisk
is the companion to the one now on the
Thames embankment, London, and originally
stood before the Temple of the Sun, Helio-
polis.
The removal of this great relic was first
suggested in 1869, but it was not until 1879
that the matter had progressed so far as to
call forth from William H. Vanderbilt a letter,
addressed to the man whose name was to
become immortalized by his daring departure
from accustomed modes, Lieut. Commander
Henry H. Gorringe, U. S. N.
It was in June, 1879, that Commander
Gorringe began draughting his plans, and on
January 22, 1882, fifteen months after the
work of removal began, the obelisk was landed
on the pedestal in Central Park. Few people
have any idea of the engineering difficulties to
be overcome, and still less of the political
hindrances attending this removal. To use
Commander Gorringe 's own expressive words,
" the work cost pounds where it might have
cost dollars.''
At the outset it was seen that the obelisk
could not be towed across the broad Atlantic,
although this manner of conveyance would be
well enough in the cases of the Paris and the
London obelisks, where the voyage was merely
a coastwise one. It was necessary to carry the
shaft in a vessel with adequate propelling
^4
TliE ^TEt^EkS tNDtCAtOk.
power of her own. To build a vessel around
the obelisk would have cost very nearly as
much as the entire amount to be paid for
removal. This made it necessary for the
commander to confine his plans to ordinary
steamers.
At this juncture three plans were proposed
to the commander, which can be best ex-
plained in his own words : " The first one
was proposed by the owner of a bark that had
been engaged in transporting heavy blocks of
granite on deck ; the weight of one block
never exceeded thirty tons. He exhibited a
photograph of the obelisk which showed water
near by, and a plan of the deck of his bark,
and said : * I will moor my vessel here, lower
the stone down on her deck, and then sail.
When we reach New York we will not be in
any hurry to set it up, for we will cart it about
the country and make a good thing out of
it, exhibiting it to the country folks.' " The
engineer then gives four objections to using
this plan. I quote two of them : " 3d. His
bark was only four hundred tons capacity, and
the obelisk weighs two hundred and twenty
tons. It would have been interesting to
witness, from the deck of some other vessel,
the performances of the bark at sea with the
obelisk on her spar deck. 4th. There was
not room enough anywhere on the deck of the
bark for the obelisk."
The second plan was to get the obelisk
somehow oh the bottom of the bay with chains
under it ; these having been carried on board
a steamer, the obelisk was to be raised until
supported directly below the keel. As
Gorringe ironically remarks, "no plan was
submitted for getting it on the bottom of the
bay, and no arrangement was proposed for
securing the services of mariners for the voy-
age.
The third proposition was to encase the
obelisk in wood enough to float it, and then
tow the mass without steering it. There were,
however, many objections to this plan also.
My intention is not to repeat a description
of the methods employed by the engineer in
the removal of this ponderous mass, but to
briefly relate a few incidents tending to show
that the difficulties were by no means removed
by the completion of the plans. The first
balk occurred when Commander Gorringe and
his assistant, Lieut. Schroeder, tried to charter
a steamer, first in America and then in Eng-
land. They were entirely unsuccessful, and
decided to purchase one when needed. When
the party reached Alexandria they were
assailed by the newspapers, denounced at
public meetings, threatened with personal
violence by letter, and insulted on the street
After the authorities had given their consent
and the work was begun, an Italian arrived on
the scene and claimed the ground as his prop-
erty. This resulted in a slight complication
between Gorringe, the Italian, the American
Consul and the Italian Vice Consul. Mat-
ters were straightened out, however, by
Gorringe's threat to sue for heavy damages, and
the affair was amicably settled by an agree-
ment in regard to rent for the ground.
Another attempt to prevent the removal of the
obelisk was made through a creditor of the
Egyptian Government, who attempted to serve
a writ on the obelisk until his claim was paid.
But when Gorringe gave the court to under-
stand that no notice would be taken of the
writ, and that he was prepared to resist any
use of force to take possession of the obelisk,
the writ was withheld. During the early part
of the work, and when the men were exca-
vating to reach the foundation, the mob of on-
lookers was at times very threatening. One
day, when the commander had reason to fear
that the work might be interfered with, he
wrapped the stars and stripes around the shaft,
and, pointing to it, said significantly : '' That
obelisk is the property of the United States ;
touch it if you dare ! " After that day there
were no more attempts at destro5ring the
obelisk.
Another example of what Mark Twain
would call the " cussedness " of the Egyptians
is shown in the fact that the authorities re-
fused to allow of the transportation of the
obelisk to the place of embarkation. In vain
Commander Gorringe offered tc repair all
damage — they said that they were afraid the
weight would crush the sewers — ^and the trans-
porting cradle, costing $5,100, had to be
thrown away. The difficulties and expenses
of the ten mile journey in a caisson were enor-
mous, and hindrances seemed to multiply at
every step in the removal. It is needless to
enter into a detailed account of how, at the
last moment, the officer in charge of the gov-
ernment store house managed to evade the
order to furnish the commander with the tim-
ber used by the English a few years before ;
how the surf of one day destroyed the work
of many days ; how the caisson refused to slide
down the ways, and had to be pushed inch by
inch by hydraulic pumps ; how a gale came up
when the caisson was almost afloat and caused
the whole structure to dash wildly about ; how
The STEVENS INDICATOR.
35
;e quietly got the proper authorities on
the steamer Dessong to haul down
yptian flag, while he hoisted United
nsigns at the peak and mast heads ; and
last, a little coastwise steam launch was
0 the government dry dock and taken
js so that Gorringe wouldn't have the
he dock.
1 a crew was finally got together (each
serted as soon as enlisted), the steamer,
t obelisk and pedestal in her hold, set
t was at 2 p. m. of Saturday, June 12,
hat the Dessong steamed out of the
and the persevering engineer felt at
\ say "at rest ; but he was on a vessel
: nationality. She was not an Ameri-
ilt vessel and was not entitled to an
an register. It was obviously incon-
and risky to sail under the Egyptian
in the alternative the commander de-
id to sail without nationality or register,
taking the risk of having his steamer
by any vessel of war at sea, or by the
ties of any port he might be obliged to
It"
following document is all that there
the " ship's papers : "
XDRiA, 2d Dec. 1879, 12 o'clock m.
:onsideration of the sum of ;^5,ioo
;, paid by Captain Gorringe, the Di-
jeneral of Ports, duly authorized by the
an Government, transfers the S. S.
ig, with her equipment, into his pos-
, and recognizes that he is the sole pro-
from this moment.
The Director General of Ports,
Caillard.
>ne at all cognizant of Custom House
;ments and general shipping documents,
>ve bears not the slightest resemblance
one of a ** ship's papers."
n Commander Gorringe left Egypt he
: sail away from his troubles. A few,
•atively few, met him in New York.
¥as when his great work was all accom-
that his brother ofiicers, jealous of his
made the navy rather uncomfortable for
id he resigned. Not that he was a man
fifected by petty jealousies ; but he had
r to superintend a ship building yard at
:lphia, and knowing the feeling against
certain naval circles, he wisely resigned,
indomitable pluck in mastering the de-
his anomalous undertaking, his perse-
i, and the masterly way in which he
i the incidents of his life work, should
win for him eternal glory in the domains of
science and art.
C.
ELECTRICAL UNITS.
Until recently it has been the practice to
form new scientific names by anglicizing Greek
and Latin words. This plan presents many
advantages, particularly to those who have had
the benefit of some instruction in those lan-
guages. Not only is* it sometimes possible to
determine the meaning of terms thus formed,
but one of the chief advantages consists in the
facility with which they are committed to
memory. The nomenclature thus formed has
also the merit of consistency. Within the last
few years, however, especially in electrical
work, this practice has seemingly been given
up and a new nomenclature, which consists in
the application of the names of noted dis-
coverers in that science to the new units, and
this nomenclature seems to have been gener-
ally adopted.
It seems to me that this procedure is greatly
to be deprecated. Without an extensive knowl-
edge of the history of the science, which few
men beside the advanced scientists are able to
attain, it is impossible to attach any meaning
to the new names; and, even with such knowl-
edge, it is very difficult to assign the proper
definition to each without considerable con-
fusion. Of course, the idea is to do honor to
the eminent men who have founded the science,
and this idea is a very praiseworthy one, but it is
doubtful whether the same end could not have
been attained as well in some other way, with-
out confusing us and hindering us, as it in-
evitably must do to a greater or less extent.
Confusion and labor have also been caused
by the incongruity of the values given the new
units, which renders conversion into ordinary
units difficult and laborious. Thus, the Watt,
the unit of horse power, is equivalent to 107
ergs per second ; the dyne or unit of force is
0.98 neg. Much trouble would be saved by
changing these units so that their values may
be some multiple of ten in the metric system.
It is proposed to change the unit of horse
power, which is at present 33,000 foot-pounds
per minute, in order to make it coincide with
the electrical unit, which is 44,233 foot-pounds
per minute. It is hard to see what advantage
would be gained to engineers by this proceed-
ing. To be sure, the old horse power is not
very convenient, and does not correctly meas-
36
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
ure the capacity of an average horse, as it pro-
fesses to do; but the new unit in point of con-
venience is much worse off, as it is also, as far
as measuring the actual horse power is con-
cerned, and when we add the inconvenience
and confusion which would arise during the
time of making the change, as well as the ex-
pense of changing our text books, etc., it
seems unwise to take such a step. The system
of units proposed by Mr. John W. Nystrom,
and published in Mechanics^ a few months ago,
seems to offer many advantages over the pres-
ent ones. The units are all formed from the
metric system of decimal relation, and are de-
rived from each other by extremely simple
formulas. If these units are not adopted, it is
to be hoped that some other way may be found
out of the present difficulties.
R.
[The proposed system of units here referred
to takes the main standard of quantity to be
that which represents the work of one kilo-
grammeter. For distinction in the application
of these terms to quantities of electricity, it is
also proposed to abbreviate them as follows :
Kramet for kilogrammeter, gramet for gram-
meter, milgramet for milligrammeter. — Eds.]
-#-•-#-
WHEN I FIRST CAME TO STEVENS.
III.
But I must show you into the Laboratory !
The first door to the left as you come in from
Hudson street, sir, — ^just follow your nose !
Cave canem ! Beware of the dog ! No, he
is not in at present, but the professor is. Take
off your hat, if you please, and hide it under
your overcoat, or else outsiders will be unable
to distinguish between your breath and the
other perfumes which are sure to cling to you,
filling up all hollows, chinks, and vacua ; re-
frain from opening your mouth for the same
reason! There is one of the assistants (ahem!)
vulgarly denominated the " Kid" because he
has all the distinguishing characteristics of
that species, except cleanliness. As a rule
you will find him blowing explosive glass
bubbles, sucking at a student's " squirt bot-
tle," or setting fire to the only dram of alcohol
there is in the room. To-day, however, the
professor being present, he seems to be very
busy labelling an empty jug " Distilled Wa-
ter, C.P."
Make yourself at home ! Don't mind the
dark color of the walls and the ceiling; yoii
know that sulphide of lead is black, do yo^
not ? It is true that those windows need mul'
titudinous applications of " Ivory Soap," bu<^
you must not be too exacting. Every student
has a set of reagent bottles labelled very
neatly with the name of the substance it is
alleged to contain, and with the name of the
student himself. I did not know before that
acetic acid has the same appearance as Ho-
boken mud ; nor that the solution of ferric
chloride is green. Sheets of paper partially
hide the acid etchings on the desk, corroded
as they are themselves by close acquaintance
with acids. The aprons, also showing numer-
ous attacks, are evidently often used to wipe
the H CI, H NO3, etc., from the suffering
fingers. In one case I actually can not say
positively whether those digital appendices are
colored yellow by frequent " approximations "
with cigarettes or aqua regia. The hood you
know all about, tCest-ce pas ? as also those
white fumes, occasional explosions, and crack-
ing test tubes, which aid in varying the other-
wise monotonous Chem.- Lab. -life. So let us
take our hats, and leave. Shake your hand-
kerchief, saturated with the Florida water she
has sent you for your last birthday, until you
think the new odor in the majority, take two
or three good breaths to put your blood once
more into circulation, and come along to the
other Lab., the Physical one, reserved for
seniors.
They ought to be in to-day; but, of course, as
usual, the Senior thinks the Laboratory can do
without him — we fully agree with him in this
particular. The Ph. L. is a capacious room,
resplendent with light, and with an atmos-
phere highly charged with electricity, as shown
by the bristly appearance of Senior P.'s mous-
tache. Glass cases, containing apparatuses,
the names of which are unknown, inasmuch as
they are not labelled, divide the hall into sev-
eral divisions, each provided with a table for
sitting and a chair for the feet.* At the first
desk nearest the door Professor M. was seated
working at something or other; at the second,
one of the exceptionally punctilious Seniors
sat reading the February number of the Indi-
cator; at a third I actually noticed Senior P.
hard at work in trying to damage some meas-
uring apparatus. In the centre of the room
three or four men stood discussing some
weighty (at least I judge it so from the grin
* For the benefit of the uninitiated I desire to state that the above
seems to be the way in which those two articles are ordinarily use<l
at Stevens.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
37
on their faces) question with Professor G. I
was not allowed to stay long in that place, for
one of the gentlemen kindly helped me out.
Then I thought of the High School next
door. The " Preps." had already been sent
home to their mammas, and the air was conse-
quently pretty clear. Nothing special was no-
ticeable except a shattered bulletin board, free
from boarding house advertisements, though
the school is under the supervision of the same
"spirited " Janitor as the Institute ! The ab-
sence of any wall pictures was also remarkable.
Finding that the article I was looking for,
viz., the Prep.," was not to be seen, though I
opened eight drawers and spilt the contents of
thirteen waste baskets, 1 wandered demurely
away, after having cast one inquisitive glance
into that highly classical arena of Prof. Kroeh,
wherein Freshman and Junior alike fight ter-
rible battles with French and German, being
always, however, eminently successful in dan-
gerously mutilating those two innocent idioms.
* *****
Some of the annotations here recorded have
been ignominioiisly stigmatized as invectives,
and I have repeatedly been threatened with
disintegration by dynamite if I should not re-
pudiate them all. The important lesson I
hare learned is, that it does not pay to be —
A Fresh Man.
«^»»
CUSTOM.
"If we live in Rome we must do as the
Romans do." These words we have heard so
often repeated that they have become nearly
2s familiar to us as our multiplication table or
our A, B, C. We rehearse them to ourselves,
or declaim them to others, whenever we wish
^0 explain or defend our conformity to custom.
And it appears that this powerful argument is
often sufficient to fully convince us of the pro-
priety of an action, although further down in
^he depths of the heart there may exist a
doubt so strong that we cannot but feel that
^^ action is wrong. Thus it is that we have
oecome actual slaves to custom. Thus it is
f^t custom stands over us as a tyrant, direct-
^^g us in everything, from the most trifling
detail of our dress to the most important of
?ur moral actions. Let us first glance at it in
Its sphere of fashion.
When tall hats are the fashion you must
^ear a tall hat, no matter whether you are tall
Of short ; no matter if for an hour or more you
are obliged to stand with bended knees while
riding in the street car ; no matter whether it
makes you look like an idiot or the judge of the
Supreme Court ; no matter if it is hard, heavy,
and stiff ; no matter, if by stopping the circula-
tion of the blood, it causes you a headache to
wear it long at a time, you must be in the
style. And so with pants. If fashion says
tight, tight they must be, be you thin or fat ;
no matter whether your limbs look like pipe
stems or Bologna sausages ; no matter if you
have to think of them at every movement, and
cannot stoop low enough to reach anything
upon the floor ; no matter if it does take half
an hour, some powder, and a shoe horn before
you can get them on. What matters it ? you
are in style. Looks, comfort, time and patience
are nothing when compared with style. So the
lady must wear the fashionable color, whether
becoming or not. Likewise with shoes, hair,
and dress ; but, worse than all, with those
abominable things — corsets. Here it is that
the old tyrant, custom, rules with a whalebone;
yea, often with a rod of steel. Here it is that
custom, while pretending to improve the form
and figure, presses and distorts it out of its
natural, well-proportjpned and graceful shape
to an unnatural, ill proportioned and some-
times disgraceful shape. Here the tyrant
actually rules against the health of his sub-
jects. Here is one of his laws which has often
been an important factor in producing sick-
ness, both of mother and of child.
We have now traced his power from when,
in small and trivial matters, it was compara-
tively harmless, to more important matters,
where it has, so many times, proved a serious in-
jury to the body. So, as we follow it still further
into the realm of moral action, we will find
it in like manner to affect, not only the minor
affairs of life, but also those where the ques-
tion of right and wrong is undoubtedly con-
cerned. We will find that, in the minds of
many, it is a weighty consideration in the at-
tempt to settle questions arising about such
subjects as balls and theatre-going, which, as a
general principle, may not be wrong in them-
selves when entered into with good judgment
and discretion. We may trace its power on-
ward, from step to step, through a great variety
of phases, through " white lies " and decep-
tion, to cheating in school work, for which
we might be suspended, and in which we would
be ashamed to be caught^ which injures our-
selves and is unfair to those who are doing
honest work. A short time ago I read an
article comparing English and American stu-
dents, which accredited the American with
38
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
being farther advanced and brighter than the
English student, but it also noted the point of
"cribbing" as being much more prevalent
among the Americans. Now, although we like
to be in advance of, and smarter, as we call it,
than the Englishman, we would not relish our
position to be questioned because of our actual
knowledge, or our smartness to be offset by
dishonesty. Nor more, would we like to have
the standing of Stevens questioned, or its
reputation sullied by this cause. We all know
that ** Honesty is the best policy," but we often
disregard it to gain a temporary advantage.
We feel that some excuse is needed, and it
comes out in, " Well, if we live in Rome," etc.,
or, " Thejr all do it," which is only the same
old fallacious argument with another overcoat
on. So we excuse even the misuse of our own
endowments and of those possessed by woman,
who was created, not to be disgraced, but to
be loved and honored by man. Yes, even to
crimes which we can call by many polite names.
But stop — we are breaking too many com-
mandments ; and our reasoning has always
assumed the same form. Church members do
so, such a person does so, or, in other words,
it is custom. In this way, to a greater or less
extent, we allow custom to trample under his
feet our knowledge of right and wrong. Not
that custom is always an evil, for we may have
good as well as bad customs. The actual mis-
take is in letting it rule us, no matter whether
it be good or evil. The truth we should come
to realize is, then, that custom cannot make
black white, or wrong right. And if we would
all work to make right the prevailing custom,
then, if the old Roman saying does still con-
tinue to hold its influence over the mind of
man, it cannot harm him.
« ^»>
HUGGING AT THE RINKS.
A SMALL BOY THINKS THAT IS THE CREAM OF
ROLLER SKATING, AND RELATES HIS EX-
PERIENCE ON THE WHEELS.
** Say, Jim, did you ever have on a pair of
them skates with wheels on ? " inquired one
boy of another.
* No, but I heard a heap 'bout em ; as how
all the people is crazier than bed bugs."
" Do yer know what makes 'em crazy ? No,
eh ? Well, ril just tell yer what makes 'em
crazy. Yer kin jist bar witness yerself how
young folkses like hugging. I know yer kin,
'cans I've seen yer layin'in the high grass along-
side yer front steps watchin' Bill Jones hug
yer sister Annie, when I was layin' on
other side. Gosh, he's a regular lem
squeezer, ain't he ? Well, as I was jist j
to tell yer, it's jist for huggin' that all the
pie's got wild over skatin.' Las' night
lady what lives next door to us sent over
wanted ter know if 1 couldn't go ter the
with her *caus her father and brother were
away, and she were afraid to go aloi
reckon she ain't got no feller. Well, m;
made me go, and gim me some mone]
git in and git some skates, provided I w;
ter take a lund at pilotin' 'em round the
When we got to the rink I started off a
door and said I'd wait fer her when she
out, but she made me go in with her, *
she wanted me to skate with her, seein*
wan't nun of her gentleman friends goin' t
ther that evenin' — but she ain't got nun, '(
she is homelier nor a one eyed poodle,
took hold of my elbows and kinder drs
me in, so I was perlite enuff to go. I go
skates and put 'etn on, and then loaded
self on a pair of the demed little wa
Then she wanted me ter skate with her,
didn't wait ter git my consent, but just t
hold of my hands and started out, usin'
more like handles to a walkin' stick than
thing else. Them darned little wagons
no fool things ter skate on, and *caus<
didn't know how ter skate, and I d
neither, we didn't git very far afore sun
happened. The first thing I knew abo
one of her skates was runnin kinder
'round among mine and the other 'un to
tack toward the seats. Both were huntii
some place ter stop, and she seemed k
anxious ter have 'em git there. But the 1
act cum on when she giv up tryin* ter go
ways ter onct, ter ketch her feet, and thre
arms around me like Bill Jones did ai
Annie, only she threw her hull weight i
huggin'. My feet wasn't stationary with
wagons on 'em, and when they did get a
it took a yoke of oxen ter stop 'em, *•
there was so much weight barin* on 'en
know, Jim. I jist dropped the length c
legs, and there wasn't no snow ter ma
soft like there is on a slippery hill. Don
know, Jim, the teacher let me stan' up a
time for the. last two days ? Well, that's
But yer see, Jim, here's the p'int. Eff
a been strong enuff ter hold that girl u;
can jist bet yer shoe strings I'd a had
huggin'. I jist seen lots and lots of girl
and fall inter the arms of some feller,
jist hug her with all his might, too. It'
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
39
y of huggin' yer ever seen. Them
3 jist chune a fellow^ right up ter it
jr insperashun — ^but say, if yer ever
t git a big girl what can't skate, fer
id weight ain't no picnic. I jist
)ugh, them rinks are regular huggin'
icago Tribune,
« ^ » >
DIFFERENT CLASSES AT
STEVENS.
y diflFerently the students of the
ses at the college behave is notice-
rybody.
gin with the Preps, or Sub-Fresh-
i at once struck with their princi-
jnt, namely, cheek. They certainly
; the whole of cheek, and nothing
Fortunately the college students
tie to do with them beyond keep-
om running ofF with the library of
e, as they did with the Campus.
I come to the Freshmen. How
ire, too ! Their chief occupation
knocking off each other's hats and
with them, or else throwing them
!ie book-cases in the library if they
particularly funny. And if happy
lappen to be acquainted with one
he upper class men, how grandly
ut from the table, where he is
inging his legs to and fro, " Hello,
How are you ?" And how enviously
I at by his brother Freshmen who
ortunate as he is.
3ressible Sophomore comes next,
lis time, while waiting for his class
ne around, in matching pennies,
enny-matching has gone on until
Sophomore has succeeded in win-
pennies from his adverseries, he
! shouting : " Who wants to match
It occurred to me one day, as I
:ry, that some enterprising youth
quite a trade by stocking himself
5, and offering nine of them in ex-
a dime, to some unlucky Soph.
: of pennies has been exhausted,
mxious to go on with his game
►ly lose some more).
3rs ought to be above such little
as those carried on by the two
>, however they indulge in throwing
•balls and each other around the
)ably their gambols (or gambles)
)n in their class room, into the priv-
acy of which '86 men only dare to penetrate.
The sounds which issue from this room at all
hours of the day hint that the banjo craze has
settled down very extensively on some mem-
ber or members of '86. Another characteristic
of the Juniors is their predilection toward
sloping shop work.
It would be most presumptuous to criticise
such a dignified being as a Stevens Senior.
Looking up toward them, the lower class men
are struck with the lateness of the hour at
which they arrive at the college and the earli-
ness at which they leave it. Perhaps some
kind Senior can explain this for the benefit of
those who expect to be Seniors '^ In the Sweet
By and By."
Notwithstanding these differences between
the classes, there is one feature which portrays
itself in all the students at Stevens, from the
frolicking Freshman to the sober Senior.
Before examination there is the same anxiety
visible on the countenances of all. After ex-
amination the same questions pass from mouth
to mouth among the members of the several
classes : '^ How did you get through ?" and
" What is your average ?" or ** Did you get
any conditions ?"
>^»»
rnwO British torpedo cruisers are being
1 built with the following dimensions :
Length, 220 feet ; breadth, 34 feet ; depth, 11
feet ; displacement, 1500 tons. They were
estimated to make 16 1-2 knots an hour, being
propelled by twin screw engines of 3,200 horse
power. The armament of each vessel will
consist of six machine guns and four five inch
breech loading guns, together with an elaborate
system of apparatus for torpedo discharging.
A company in England are executing con-
siderable orders in channel steel of large sec-
tions for mine roof supporting beams, and
props are also being made of the same ma-
terial. Although the first cost of steel beams
and props is, of course, in excess of that of
wood, the fact that it can be removed without
damage, for further use, will render it more
economical in the end. In addition, the dim-
inished space occupied, as compared with the
heavy timbering now required, will be a great
advantage, affording a better working head-
way, especially in shallow seams.
An indicator has been invented which is an
entire departure from the former ideas and
principles. The indicator is attached by a
40
THE STEVENS INDlCAl OR.
coupling to an ordinary indicator cock, and
consists of a cup shaped receptacle which is
closed steam tight by a stiff diaphragm of tem-
pered spring steel. Above the centre of the
diaphragm is a small mirror hung upon a spring
pivot in such a manner that it is tilted by the
slight movement which the diaphragm under-
goes under the varying pressures to which it
IS subjected in the working of the engine.
This is made to cause a beam of light reflected
from it to trace a vertical line on a screen
upon which it may be thrown. An arm
fastened to the bridge which supports the
mirror is attached to a reducing motion which
causes the beam of light to trace a horizontal
line on the screen. When, by the combined
motion of the diaphragm and cross head, the
mirror is put into motion, the spot appears
as a continuous line of light, taking the form
of the card which the engine is making. The
len^h of the card varies with the distance to
which the screen is removed from the mirror ;
a distance of eight feet, for instance, will give
a card five or six feet in length. The card
may be traced by passing a pencil over a paper
hung over the screen, keeping the pencil in the
path of light.
An improved locomotive, built by the Lehigh
Valley 'Railroad, made her trial trip on the
New York division of that road a few weeks
ago. It is constructed for the purpose of test-
ing a peculiar valve motion which, it is
claimed, will develop great speed. This is
done by making the cylinders with steam and
exhaust entirely independent, doing away with
eccentrics and slide valves. The valves on
each cylinder are worked by an arrangement
of valve gear in which the motion is taken
from the connecting rod and working entirely
on true centres, there being no sliding surfaces.
The steam valves being independent of the ex-
haust, the point of cut-off, or expansion, can
be obtained without the corresponding back
pressure and over compression. The point
of compression can also be changed without
altering the point of cut-off or expansion, so
that the power of the cylinder at a given
pressure can be utilized to much greater ad-
vantage. The weight of the engine is 47
tons, with a grate area of 37 square feet. The
engine is also fitted with an independent steam
pump and heater for feeding the boiler so as
to put in water at nearly the boiling point, the
heater being under the boiler.
A pneumatic tube system of signalling has
been substituted for the bell cord on the trains
of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Each car 1
a rubber tube running under the bottom, ai
these are connected between the cars in 1
same way as the Westinghouse air-brake tub
They are kept charged with a pressure of
from a reservoir situated under the cab of t
engine, and which is itself supplied from 1
air brake reservoir. The rubber tube leads
a small whistle valve in the cab of the engi.i
which is so arranged that if the pressure
the tube is diminished the whistle will sou v
In each car of the train is a valve which, up
being opened, allows the compressed air
escape from the signal tube, the action of X.
valves upon the whistle being instantaneoi
The same effect is produced if an accide
happens by which a car is detached from t.
train, the pressure is lowered, and the whisi
sounds to warn the engineer.
A VALENTINE.
The Seniors need not think that they have
monopoly on " engagements." The followin
valentine was stolen from the pocket of
Freshman, who, if not engaged, we think ougl:
to be :
Who smiley to see you when you call ?
Who runs to greet you in the hall ?
AVho'd like to see you play foot ball ?
'Tis Aida.
Whose mother speaks with gracious lips?
And when the conversation trips
Begins to claim relationships ?
'Tis Aida's.
Who sings " high C " with studied ease ?
Whom do you find it fun to tease ?
Who pouts sweet lips when you displease ?
'Tis Aida.
Who has bright eyes and witching ways ?
Who tennis and piano plays ?
Whose voice is sweet beyond all praise ?
'Tis Aida's.
Whose song is saddened now with grief ?
Whose lonely heart asks quick relief ?
Who prays your absence may be brief ?
'Tis Aida.
Who secret hopes she may be thine ?
Who longs to have some tender sign ?
Who sends you now this Valentine ?
Tis
In answer to our inquiries the fellow con-
fessed that he had responded in rhyme, and
after much coaxing produced a copy. But
we would spare our readers.
THE S TE VENS INDICA TOR.
41
Sfeeve^S iRdiGafeep.
PUBLISHBD ON THK
ICH MONTH, DURING THE COLLEGE YEAR,
BV THE
"OR PUBLISHING COMPANY,
iD^ In^feitafeB of Tecpologj.
D per Year, in Advance. Single Copy, 20 Cents.
rd ol lUbnketi Pwt OJTcr a« Sffrxtfd Cloft Matter
(s can be obtained at Luthin's book storty
will please immediately notify us of any
nr addresses or failure to receive the paper
*s full name, as well as his NOM DE PLUMK,
'.ny the article, as assurance of j^ood faith
f ; but it will not be published^ unless desired,
contributions y subscriptions, advertisements
ommunications by mail, should be addressed
:ns Indicator, Stevens Institute, //obohen,
'N one month from now we shall be
oying the advantages of one of the
ic fields in this country; so let us
0 to the Stevens Institute Athletic
Grounds, and not as for years past,
ijoying all the privileges of owner-
ive been pleased to exercise at the
Cricket Grounds.
Jeorge eleven has long ago ceased
id, if for no other reason, let the
made for the sake of our love for
here is no such place as the St.
r^<r/ Grounds.
all accounts of games and events
ids were headed Stevens Institute
Dunds; but why the change, which
ed for the last few years, of calling
t. George Grounds, is a question
^ond us. True, the St. Georges
.0 be proprietors to disinterested
ho watch their method of spread-
rights; but the Athletic Associa-
lers of the grounds, should give
United States name. Let them
s the Stevens Institute Athletic
FS our second term draws to a close those
of us who are at all interested in ath-
letics naturally begin to think of the prospects
for our base ball team this year. The "growl-
ers " will tell us if we do no better than last
year, do not try at all. We cannot agree with
them. Last year's was an entirely new {earn,
and, as it did not practice over much, and
nearly all its games were poorly arranged, we
could not expect them to do all we wished for.
This year our team will have had at least the
experience of a few games, and besides that
we hope all will take advantage of the place
now rented for practice. Let more time be de-
voted to it and we are sure to do much better.
A great deal rests with the Directors in their
choosing of the team, in the arrangements for
games. Last year but few games were played
in Hoboken, and it seems strange to us that
the team was sent to play in all sorts ef places,
when we have one of the best grounds in the
country at our very door.
Again, we could never obtain a ball, when
wanted, without hunting all over Hoboken for
it. Why not have one, or, better, a number, in
charge of some meniber of the team at the In-
stitute ?
Then no one could offer the excuse of hav-
ing no time to practice. They have only to
step out on the " campus,'* so called, and al-
though it is not the best plan, has seen some ex-
cellent practice, and good playing has resulted
from the few minutes, now and then, spent
there. The team will probably be the same as
last year's, except the pitcher and one or two
out fielders. There is certainly enough good
material at Stevens, and if the proper attention
is given to the necessary practice, there is no
reason why we should not have that pennant.
One of the weakest points the Stevens team has
always shown is in the batting. Proper prac-
tice in this direction has never been made
much of. Let it be different this year, and
no one, we are sure, will fail to hear that well
known cry from the fence : " Stevens 'as
bet."
42
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
cefflfflu^rGfiipieF^.
To the Editors of the Indicator :
Through you 1 desire to say a few words to
the students and alumni of our college.
After spending the longer part of a college
year 'on the subject, we have at last selected a
college pin which one and all admit is em-
blematic of our profession, and at the same
time is a handsome ornament to wear.
One might ask, what more can we want ?
But it must be that the air — or something else
in Hoboken — does not agree with my fellow
students, for a/«c/ of them, after waiting until
the college pin is selected and the steel dies
made, suddenly awake to the importance of
the subject — or else to their own importance
— and want the whole matter reopened. And
for what reason ? you may say. Simply be-
cause they (the few) think that the majority
have made a mistake, and are not capable of
having a mind of their own, as they appear to
have none.
The committee for several months worked
with a determination to do their best for the
interests of the college regardless of any per-
sonal likes or dislikes, and they repeatedly
asked the assistance of their fellow students,
who, with but a few exceptions, failed to re-
spond. We obtained designs from every source
we could, among them the well known houses
in that line of business in New York, and then
we spread the designs before the college, and
put it to the individual vote of the students;
and then, at a college meeting, that vote was
confirmed, and, without a dissenting vote, the
design selected as the college pin ^ and no one
then, or afterward, presented any objections
to the pin before the committee.
Now, granted that we could and would re-
open the subject, what prospect would there
be of improving our pin as selected, and
pleasing the majority of the students ? There
is thia prospect : these feWy after having been
given every opportunity to present their de-
signs to the committee, or objecting to those
presented by others, failed to do so or help the
committee in any way.
They can find no fault with the pin selected,
except that it is not quite small enough to suit
their aesthetic ideas. Now, this infinitesimal
part of the students say that they can design
a pin that will startle — who ? which ? what ?
For this design of theirs they have borrowed
the sign of their friend " Uncle Isaac," and,
lopping off one of his arms, they take the two
remaining, and say that it is emblen
the honorable profession of mechanic
neering. Now, I fail to agree with the
I will grant them that it is symbolic
chronic state (dead broke) of some of
dents of M. E.
And now, my foolish virgins, I
your zeal and good intentions, but ren
that for many ages it has been the cusi
world over, to shut out those who com
eleventh hour. Therefore I command
give up the ghost, and may be at some
time your fellow students may come to
ization of your importance, and giv
mighty intellects (?) an opportunity t<
forth. But let me warn you, if they d(
committee life **is not a happy one,"
pathway is not covered with roses, an<
are few thanks and many rebuffs.
We cannoc all be pleased, and when
majority are, we should one and all, re^
of all personal feeling, join our hands i
hold what has been done, and for once
college life have a mind of our own ar
to it, and not be changed with every
wind from a wind bag, and, remeniberi
we are all fellow students, let us act i
mony and good fellowship for one anot
Hoping what I have said may be t2
the spirit it is written — that of a friei
fellow college mate — I remain,
Very truly, yours,
C. J. FlKLD,
Chairman College Pin Commi
« ^ » *
SOCIAL.
A series of receptions have been gi^
Senior Class during the winter months t
fessor and Mrs. Leeds, at their reside
which the students have been entertai
the hospitable manner characterizing
entertainments of the host and hostess,
lady friends have been present, and in
and conversation the evenings have
very pleasantly.
Professor and Mrs. Thurston tendei
Junior Class a reception on the evening
13th of February. Miss Thurston an
Boughton came down from Vassar, thi
accompanied by a number of Vassar
ladies. With this welcome addition '86
an unusually enjoyable evening. After t
lation dancing began, and the Hoboken
ladies vied with those from Vassar in 1
the occasion one long to be remembere
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
43
COMMENCEMENT NOTES.
Martinelli's has been chosen as the place
for the class supper at the coming graduation
exercises.
The following students have been chosen
to take part in the class day *^exercises :
Abbey, class orator ; Hussey, class poet ;
Glasgow, author of Pipe Ode ; Burchard, to
deliver "Grinds;" Adriance, to deliver Ivy
oration ; Dilworth, to deliver closing address.
It was decided to have no class prophet, but
that a class history be given, the historian to
be nominated by the committee.
THAT BALANCE.
When the report of the editors of The
Stevens Indicator was read at the college
meeting, it was stated that there was a bal-
ance in favor of the paper ; care being taken,
however, to make it plain to those concerned
that this balance consisted mostly of unpaid
subscriptions. The business manager has
sent bills to the delinquents, hoping to swell
the balance thereby.
Some have paid, others not, and what is
worse, declare ** that they have paid," and
naturally object to paying twice for the same
thing.
Unfortunately, we have no positive means
of determining for ourselves the true state of
the case, even if we desired to doubt the
words of these people, which, however, we do
not.
The advertising department of The Indi-
cator has paid, thanks to the efficient man-
agement of the first business manager, better
than the subscription department.
The books of The Indicator have never
been up to a business man's standard. This
is due, in a great measure, to the haste and
uncertainty with which we were compelled to
start, when the idea of maintaining a monthly
was put in a tangible form.
When the old board went out of office, there
was an attempt on the part of the newly
elected officers to straighten out the financial
affairs, which was only partially successful.
We have had trouble all 4ilong with differ-
ences, which, however, are small, and will not
interfere, to any great account, with a correct
balance, seldom exceeding one or two dollars.
The following is as correct a statement of
the financial affairs of The Indicator as can
be had :
Due from advertisers, -
" subscribers,
P. and L., -
Total, -
- $60 04
34 00
- I 91
$95 95
Printers' bill, ; - - $29 15
Indicator Publishing Co., 45 00
Total, -
Assets,
Liabilities,
S73 15
- $95 95
73 15
Gain to The Indicator, $22 80
The above accounts have not been settled,
because most, if not all, of our advertisers are
companies that pay quarterly, and will not
trouble themselves with a small bill at any
and all times. As for the unpaid subscrip-
tions, we have no control over that money at
all ; however, we are doing our best to collect
as much of it as possible.
There will be enough good money to pay
the printers' bill, which is the only account
outside the college against us.
The $22.80 balance will have to come out
of what remains. If we cannot get it, the
college will not be out of pocket one cent (as
we look at it), because she advanced nothing
in a financial way, and but a microscopic
amount of literary work ; to the latter cause
was due the action of the Board of Editors in
resigning as a body last January.
Following this action came the organiza-
tion of The Indicator Publishing Co., to
which we wish every success.
Manager.
S. I. T. GLEE CLUB.
The concert of the Glee Club is to take
place definitely, rain or shine, hot or cold, on
Thursday evening, March 19, at " Odd Fel-
lows' Hall." There is not the least doubt as
to its success from the point of view of a
musical critic. The choicest and most popu-
lar college airs will be represented on the pro-
gramme, among others " George Washington "
and " Three Little Kittens " by special request.
The enthusiasm shown by all the members of
the double octette is something extraordinary.
Thrice each week have they made the walls of
Mrs. Mac Lean's parlor re-echo with their sweet
44
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
harmony; there indeed they have left an in-
delible mark "on the carpet, owing to the
various rehearsals of the "dance'' in G. W.
The various men have also distinguished them-
selves in the different classes, by taking a lead-
ing part in the numerous songs, or bitter at-
tempts at songs, performed by their classmates,
who are without that "superior training" which
the Club has enjoyed.
It will be noticed that only college tunes
are studied by the Club, to the almost entire
exclusion of so-called "classical music." The
arguments advanced in support of this are,
first, that students can do justice to songs that
come home to them^ as it were, while they can
seldom be brought to such a degree of perfec-
tion as would be necessary for the delivery of
music of a different kind; secondly, the audi-
ence that attends a students' concert does
not expect an artistic performance, such as is
alleged to be given at the multitude of con-
certs (?), etc., but it expects, and is not disap-
pointed in our case, a display of college spirit.
Still, to assure the musical success in every
direction, the excellent and popular " Valencia
Orchestra " has kindly promised to assist with
several numbers. Miss Dunn, a popular so-
prano soloiste, will also charm the audience.
Playing on the banjo, as well as a hop after the
concert, tends to add, in connection with the
other features, that necessary " spice."
So much as regards the *' musical success."
Now, with reference to \.\i^ financial success
of the affair, we hope that tout le monde will
put in an appearance, /. e., in other and matter
of fact business words, will buy a ticket
for fifty cents ! ! !
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF MINING
ENGINEERS.
The Society held their second session at the
Institute, Wednesday morning, February i8,
Professor Thurston giving up his lecture room
for their use. The meeting was a full one,
and a number of valuable papers were read.
Some of the more important points of the pro-
ceedings we note for The Indicator, from
the account published in the Iron Age,
The first paper of the session, read by the
secretary, was by W. J. Pierce, of New York
City, on
The Cost of Gold Mining and Milling
IN Nova Scotia.
Since 1862, when statistics were first kept,
350,000 ounces of gold have been produced
from 470,000 tons of rock. The
been from 10 dwts. to i ounce 2 dv
with an average of 14 dwts. The
show a steadily decreasing yield ol
ton, due chiefly to the more extens
machinery, which has permitted tl
lower grade ores. The paper cont
interesting matter, but our space is 1
Mr. P. Barnes, of New York city,
with a paper on
Fuel Economy in Engines and
The paper set forth the need of r
ligent and economical preparation a
steam, pointed out the directions in
economy was to be sought, and ro
suggestions as to remedies and mear
Professor Thurston, in the discuss
followed, briefly, but graphically, sk(
requirements and the limitations ol
nomical working of the steam engine
ers, and indicated the direction in
provements would be met with in tl
The paper of Mr. John Fulton,
town. Pa., was read by Dr. Raymc
subject was
The Source and Behavior of ]
IN THE Mines of the Cambi
Company, Johnstown, Pa.
In the beginning of the paper t
of the (Cambria Iron Company, th
and surroundings of Johnstown, sit
cutting of the lower productive coal
500 feet deep, were sketched; a bri<
tion of the coal beds and ore mines
from which it appears that six of
coal mines and the iron ore mines
10 to 200 feet above the valley w
and but one coal mine, now clos"
The paper also gave detailed statem
fire gas in each mine and the exp
connection with it. The most desti
plosions so far have occurred in the
The source of fire gas, causing flas
explosions in mines, has not receive
ful consideration as its importance w
to demand. From the fact that it
found in all the coal beds mined intc
town, it has been inferred that each
with its rich associated bituminous j
produced the gas met with in their
mine workings.
This inference was doubtless su^
part at least, from the condition of t
cite fields in the north east section oi
For it appears evident that the fire
in these large coal beds was eliminai
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
45
:ransformed the normal coal into its
ndition of glassy anthracite, each bed
g the chief source. It is quite pos-
in the mining operations in the an-
slds that gas may ascend from the
he upper beds of coal, if the latter
lined into. Three objections seem
lelm the assumption that the coal
I Allegheny are the sources of fire gas:
fact that where one coal bed has
d in part or entirely under another,
coal bed workings are entirely free
e coal beds are the sources of fire
. portion of the Allegheny field, then
les eastward in the same field should
re gas. No gas has yet been found
ge number of mines east of Johns-
le same absence of gas is noticed in
of the Clearfield and Cumberland
I) regions. Some of these mines
worked above and below water level
J past twenty-five years without the
2nce of the presence of gas.
discoveries of natural gas, the fire
nes, during the past year in large
under the lower coal measures in
Pennsylvania, beginning at Johnstown
ising westward to Pittsburgh, afford
solution in this portion of the Appa-
?ld, at least, of the true source of
s, or mine fire gas.
the interest in the discovery of nat-
in the latter part of 1884, the Cam-
Company had a test well sunk on
mds a short distance north of the
issenger station at Johnstown. The
s test well is 11 89 feet above ocean
12 feet under the cement coal bed,
workable coal bed of the lower coal
At a well depth of 640 feet, or
bove tide, natural gas was reached,
down 40 feet, beginning in slate and
g in sand rock. The gas was ignited
of the drill hole, giving a flame 3 feet
le supply, however, soon showed signs
ling. At 800 feet, 389 feet above
xond gas horizon was found, less
e than the first. No gas was found
. Salt water was reached at 680 feet
of well, 509 feet above tide, and a
rge supply 2130 feet below top, 941
V tide level. At 2800 feet drilling
ioned.
rst bore hole indicated very clearly
I of the gas met with in the coal and
lines of the Cambria Iron Company.
The gas has evidently ascended through the
cracks, clearage plane, openings and fissures
of the intervening rocks, reaching the coal and
iron ore beds above. This is corroborated by
the fact that all issues of gas yet discovered
have been found in the portions of the mines
whose strata of underlying rocks have been
fiexured and broken, affording openings for
the upward movement %i the gas.
It is difficult to establish the exact place of
the gas in the rocks here, whether the horizons
in which the gas was found have been its nor-
mal home or secondary reservoirs ; it seems
reasonable to infer that it had its source in the
Pocono sandstone, and also near the ho-
rizon of the carboniferous measures of Eastern
Pennsylvania and Virginia. In the flashes and
explosions of fire gas .in these mines, the gas
itself has always been the originating cause.
The fine, dry dust has not been observed to
contribute materially to the energy of the ex-
plosions, although certain qualities of this dust
in mines will aggravate the destnictiveness of
explosions.
It is not the design of the writer to assume
that the source of fire gas, met with in bitu-
minous coal mines, is always found under coal
measures; but from developments at Johns-
town the inference leans in this direction,
qualified by exceptional localities. The hori-
zons of the gas wells in Western Pennsylvania
are all beneath the coal measures. It will
also be evident that in coal mining operations,
where the gas may be met with at uncertain
places, without warning, and from its impon-
derable character, not being generally sensible
to smell, always invisible and only occasionally
heard, great difficulty must continue to exist
in defending the mines from explosions. The
danger from this fire gas increases, as a general
rule, westward; the past terrible explosions in
the Connellsville region are examples in point.
The only present well assured preventives con-
sist in ample ventilation, using brattice cloth
and safety lamps in advanced workings.
The third paper of the session was " Notes
on the use of high explosions in the blast fur-
nace, and of a water spray for cooling or blow-
ing down,** by W. J. Taylor, Chester, N. J.
The last paper was an illustrated one on '* A
new regenerative hot blast oven," by John C.
Long, Mechanicsburg, Pa.
At the close of the session the members and
their ladies were entertained by President and
Mrs. Morton at luncheon. The afternoon was
devoted by the members to visiting points of
interest to which invitations had been extended
46
THE STEVENS INDICATOk.
HIGH SCHOOL NOTES.
High School Athletic Association flourish'
ing ; $2-5 1 in treasury.
The High School base ball team last year
won six games and lost none. The foot ball
team won five games and lost one.
The Preps, are anxious to arrange practice
games of base ball with the college. Oblige
them, by all means.
Senior "Prep." to baby "Prep." How
catne Prof. Nollimah to get that bruise on his
face? B. P.— He told us he fell down on
F — th street. S. " Prep." goes to F—th street
and notices blood on lamp post. " Tumbles."
The nurses seen on the "Campus" at dif-
ferent times do not come to " mash," but to
get Prof. Al— ch and R— t — 's "Preps."
At the invitation of Mr. Shippen, a number
of students have organized a Polo Club, which
will play at the Hoboken Rink. The number
of members has been limited to twenty, and
the list is already full. The officers elected
are as follows :
President — Wm. A. Adriance.
Secretary— k. W. Burcharu.
Treasurer — Oscar H, Baldwin.
The uniform which has been adopted con-
sists of gray jersey knickerbockers and stock-
ings, and a crimson cap.
The Rink is at the disposal of the club from
five o'clock until seven p. m., and also after
ten p. m. Practice is expected to begin at
once, sticks, etc., being already provided. A
challenge has already been received from
Rutgers, but it was considered advisable not
to accept it at present.
By the energetic work of the directors, a
much more favorable arrangement has been
made with the St. George Club, both as re-
gards the finances and the privileges of Ste-
vens' men. The lacrosse team can now play
anywhere on the grounds. The team has re-
cently been admitted into the local associ^ion
of New York and vicinity^ and it is hoped will
take a prominent place among the competing
teams.
Messrs. Munkwitz and Cotiart represented
Stevens at the late inter-collegiate athletic
meeting. No business of particular interest
to Stevens was transacted.
Vive la German language !
Where does cast steel come from ?
Examinations loom up dimly on the hori-
zon.
The deadly roller skating rink has come
among us.
The favorite poet of the chemical labora-
tory— Hood.
The ho-moginous man of '86 prefers to
make his Z hete-roginous, viz., n.
Three cheers for the Mining Engineers !
May they come again some other Wednesday
morning.
" 1 have this subject at my fingers' ends,"
said the student, as he unfolded his crib at ex-
For patent gas fixtures, apply to W. W.
Th . The above advertisement is inserted
free of charge.
Appeal to O. W. J. : " Don't you think the
skylights in the drawing rooms and the floor
of the sanctum need cleaning ?"
Professor (to student reciting on trusses) :
" What is the live load on a roof ?"
Voice in back of room : " Cats."
In chemistry — Professor : " What is the
commercial name of arsenious anhydride ?"
Bright student ; " Rough on rats, sir."
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
47
" Do you
Professor to Monsieur C
know what pig iron is ?"
Monsieur C : " Oui ! Oui ! Oui !"
Professor : ** Mr. y you see that this per-
son is distinguished by the verb ending ez.
That is the reason it is so e-z to memorize."
Frofessor : " I would recommend you to get
1 lesson perfectly oncQ. You don't know what
a luxury it is to be confident in regard to your
answers."
A new alphabet has been discovered ; it is
the a, b, c, of the M. E.'s profession. For
hither particulars, r/^ Rankine's '* Machinery
ofMillwork/' p. 1763 J.
TheFreshies need their pin feathers plucked,
according to one of the Profs. Alas ! some of
the pin feathers pull so hard that the entire
student is " plucked " with them.
The Freshmen are agonizing over the sub-
ject, "What are the Effects of III Luck upon
Success in Life ?'* Ah ! Professor, that's rather
hard. So soon after Fowler, too.
We would advise those interested in Kine-
matics to read Section 149 of Prof. MacCord's
book, which treats of the spherical-equiangular-
logarithmic - spiral - conical - multilobe - bevel-
gear-wheels.
Prof. G (lecturing to Seniors) : " Now,
hy an elaborate mathematical process^ we are
enabled to arrive at the complex conclusion
that •
100
100
loo+i-l-i 102.
A specimen of grammar school wit :
^cher : " Credible : what can be believed.
^0 can give me an example ?" Small boy
an back seat): " That Jonah swallowed a
»'*aie IS a credible story."
[^o Juniors are working at the following
of k^ in mechanics : What is the moment
J ^"^ effort of the professor when he sits
^^ pti a student ? | Ed.'s Rem. : " I don't
^iiink
AS
*t is of any moment to know."]
^ '^Ophomore has discovered the alarming
dedica.
^t even stars skate. He says, in a poem
ted to Miss :
" Your lovely eyes, my darling mate,
Like heavenly stars do zoryxscatc*'
^ Preventive of sea sickness, according to
not. \j ^ J5 ^Q keep your eye on the horizon,
H\T\ce ** it is the natural tendency of man to
*^<^? straight:' We would advise O. W. J.
to look at the horizon the next time he is
"baW seas o'er."
Professor : " You have heard of the rose of
a watering pot? Very well; now tell me, why
is the rose the queen of flowers ? Give it up ?
Because it reigns (rains) over them all.
Funny Student : " Shall we put that in our
note books, professor ?**
One noon, when the fire bell rang, a dozen
Freshmen started for Engine No. i. After
dragging the machine around the principal
streets of the town, it was ascertained that
there was no fire. After laboriously climbing
a hill, the boys left the machine and returned
to the Institute. Each participant expects to
be invited to the hop of Engine No. i.
Will somebody inform us who it was that
addressed E F. W. by '* Wee- Wee" ? Was it
done because E. Y. is diminutive? In that
case we beg to differ. E. F. W. is " great," or
at least thinks he is, and consequently ought to
be called " I, /," or perhaps '* We, We." How-
ever that may be, the epithet will, without
doubt, stick to him to the end of his Institute
career.
A spirited debate was held the other day
between several members of the Junior class,
as to whether pig iron is pig iron before it is
cast in pi^s. The professor to whom the
question was ultimately referred decided that
pig iron must be in pigs in order to be pig
iron. Query : Is cast iron cast iron before it
is cast ? and is weld iron weld iron before it is
welded ? and is wrought iron wrought iron be-
fore it is wrought ?
The class of '88 are working in the shop
under a systematic and well laid out roster,
which Mr. Lackland says is very satisfactory.
The entire course for each man is spaced up
into a certain number of days for each depart-
ment, and the dates for beginning and finish-
ing each particular course are assigned. It is
hoped that this plan will do away with many
of the evils which existed when no definite
plan was adhered to.
Sample questions in the chemistry room :
" Is this er-r — was the — er — basic charge — er
— entirely basic — er ?"
Student : " Not prepared on that part."
" What — er-r — is the — ef-r — cause of elim-
ination of the — er-r-r — elements by that time
— er-r — the time — er-r — the time — er-r — the
iron — er-r — had taken up — er ?"
Student (who has forgotten the first part of
the question) : " Yes, sir ; I think it is."
A student, statistically inclined, counted 83
THE STEViNS INDICATOR.
" ers "in 11 minutes last chemistry recitation.
This i*ould make 45a-35 + "" a" •'""'■-
Be gentle to the er-r-ring.
juniors' song.
I'hough we pore o'er Wood's Kesixnnce,
Of I
1 Kankine ail the day,
us, we are not obliviou!-
iir maidens Tar away.
Though we live in far-off places.
Working ever day by day,
We remember your dear faces
Through ihe long and buiyday.
Living up in dUmal attics,
Urin a daisy liltic flat,
Reading toughest mal hematics.
Physic, science or Kinemal'.
Fumbling leaves of dictionaiy,
Drawing plans for our the-Jii,
We remembier pretty Jessie.
Lively C«rrie and Louise.
TliouEh we're dtep in autt^raphic
TcMls of old iron from a rail,
We cast aside things malbcmaiic
When the postman brings our mail.
K<.')^if</
We are siirjirised to see TfiA make a mis-
take. We can't imagine why it should address
Us as the "Stephens Indicator."
Another exchange always pleases us, the
Adelphian. Its cuts are always good and also
its reading matter.
The American Engineer, we need hardly
say, is interesting. It always is, and this time
"The Mexican Railway System " occupies a
prominent place. It contains a numher of
short articles and notes.
The Amhent Student lor February is full
of interest to us. News takes up most room
and the collection of articles is very good. They
complain of their " worthy janitor." Stevens
men will not think that out of the way we are
sure.
The Baverfordian is a model publication
from cover to cover. It is well jirinted, well
arranged, and best of all, well written. All its
articles are sensible and worth reading. " The
story of Port Royal and Louis XIV.," taken
from Prof. Davenport's lecture, occupies a
goodly space and is very interesting. We com-
mend ihe Havtrfoidian to the attention of all.
We are glad to see a little appreciation
the January Indicatob, especially as it is fM
one of our exchanges. We quote from t
Hudson County Democrat- Advertiser for I
benefit of those (the "chronic growlers ")«1
do not subscribe nor take any interest in f
Indicator (they do read it though, straiMe
say). " The first copy of the Stevens fit
CATOB, published under the new manageiae
has made its appearance, and, though muc
behind time, is a decidedly creditable prodai
tion. Its contents arc an improvement u|
the former issues, and the attractiveness
the monthly is enhanced by a fairly well <b
cartoon on the first page."
B^^
The Mother Hubbard it of such frightful mien,
That to be hated needs but to be seen ;
But when surmounted by a pretty face
We first endure, then pity, then embi«ce.
— Wootter Collegiam.
" Make a minute of that duel at Princeton,
Mr. Shearer," said the chief to the
editor. "Can't do it," replied the
" Why not ? " " "Cause there are only two
seconds in it, " [Verdict of accidental
caused by a sudden increase of salary.^—
Targitm.
A Mormon editor of Salt Lake City had
following in a recent issue of his paper : " "i
unknown woman who was killed at this fiMtH
about three months ago by the cars, pn
to be one of the wives of the editor m
paper." A new count appears to have
vealed the iaci~C<ir/ PretsePs Weekly.
Professor, who has been trying for the
half hour to explain a formula on the '
turns with his finger on his nose, which
rather prominent, and says, " Is it now
ent to you all?" {Freshmen grin.) "\m
aware, gentlemen, that it is long (Freshmel
grin audibly), but I hope you see the point.'
(Slight pedal applause). " It is call^ ptm
asinoriim, of which I hope you see the ip
plication. "<I^ud and continued applause.)—
De Pamv Monthly.
Technology,
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING,
FOD^fDEr) IIY THE L./\TI', EDWIN A. STEVEN9._
— u —
HOBOKEN, N. J.
rHSNRV MORTON Ph. O,
AUFREU M. MAYER, Ph, D.,
R0DER7 H Tn-'P^TOM ft M.. C I
DE VT ■^'>'-' M,-,N.r. ,■ F. ,
I c. w
I AU^■ :i
I CMA; ■ ■ !■>
1 HHV , : ■,
E. .
Prof a( Erfrtrnri;!
I •HiV!.
H. MOKTDN^ Llr.lx
^STEVENS HIGH SCHOOL!^
THE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT
STEVENS INSTlTUrrOF TECHNOLOGY^
fi/r.«;/r STRrrnr \-' r
■'^ irtJ S'.ft. HOBOKEN. N.J..
i-;ER IB, i885.
- ■'■■■ •' ■ ---Tibffr,
FLTLL COnRSEri OF STimV. VV.
\xliCOaEG!
JUNIOR DEPAFfTMCNr. «76.UO PEW ANNUM.
SENIOR DEPANTMCHT, VtOO.OO PER ANNUM.
„♦»_
1 for '>»Ml>icy»« oitwy v •!>* tftororwn of 3'Avarn IntiiW^i.
I
TH E
^!^'"
"^UevQflB JpidisafeSF.
b--*??
VcL a.
HOBOKEN, N. J., APRIL, 1885.
No. 4.
9SB BeTlRBIF^S gsysE.*
As on the street, in idle thought,
I wftndered slow one day,
A withered, bent, misshapen man
Across my path did stray.
Gnj were his locks ; his wof ul air.
So hopeless of relief,
TcM pliiinly that for many a day,
He^ wrestled with a grief.
** AUi !" said T, ** poor, wretched man.
What hmth yonr grace destroyed ?
~ Mayhap your baby Hngers rash
wHh dynamite have toyed ?
** Or» when a careless, happy chiUi,
(y fimcefnl air and look.
Upon the flying bobtail car f
Von have essayed to hook,
*" Until the thing has lurched, and then.
To your intense surprise,
Did tbnyw jron, and your baby form
Attempt to pulverize."
The stianger stopped ; fast down his cheek
The briny flood did flow.
I mndi did grieve to see that I
Had agonized him so.
** AlaSi fiar worse ! I am," said he,
Id tones most dolorous,
*' A victim of that engine dire
Known as the boarding house.
*" While yet a youth, bright eyed and strong,
And quick of thought and word,
I fai no eril hoar did seek
A boarding house to board.
" In yonder halcyon days no woe
My heirt did desolate ;
My stomach had not gone astray,
Aad both my legs were straight.
** The toagfa and ductile buckwheat cake X
No homr had for me ;
Daath's aagd larking in the pie
I Imd not learned to see.
«* And with a simple, childlike faith
1 dhewed the mystic hash,
cm the bogas sirloin steak §
Mj yonthfal teeth did smash.
so boaidiiy hoiney, con<4ilt " Baxter's S tintt* Rest."
i the AnUgooistic Properiies of the Bob Tail Car,
'iJ£f FirmMim ItutUuU, vol. Ixii.. 1883.
WSmn ThomiMOii ** On the Buckwheat Cake," p. 67.
of sfa-loin steak, see Materials of En-
hr. [In
]
" But this for any stomach was
Too much, however stout,
And this pernicious sort of grub
Did quickly knock me out.
** Palate and appetite, once so keen.
Did soon begin to fail ;
It matters not now if I dine
On snipes on toast or nails.
" The swan's down mattress on my couch
Was far fiom being fat.
And soon upon my fle^h I bore
The impress of the slat.
'* Extending on a three foot bed,
This six foot frame of mine.
Was not a thing conducive
To a rectilinear spine.
'' And this the reason is, that now,
Most painful to the view.
My once artistic vertebrae
Crooks like the letter U.
"^ Bad light and smoky atmosphere
Did acid unto my woes —
My right eye scans the zenith, while
My left surveys my toes.
" And now, sir. can you wonder
That at the bitter end.
Beneath this heavy load of grief.
My legs began to bend ?
" Mo longer are ihey shapely,
No longer strong and straight ;
My knees have had a quarrel,
And sworn to separate.
" And so I wander sadly,
Of shape and grace bereft ;
Of all my former beauty
There's none to speak of left."
The relic closed, and sadly
His painful way pursued,
And, with a sigh of pity,
His retreating form I viewed.
Some thought I'd had of boarding.
But needless 'tis to state
'Twas fully frightened out of me
By the relic's frightful fate.
The original John Smith.
50
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
ANTHONY TROLLOPE'S METHOD OF
LITERARY WORK.
Anthony Trollope was a most unhappy
youth. He was a pupil in several good
schools, where the best of instruction and
pleasant associates might have been enjoyed.
But he was disagreeable and awkward, his pa-
rents were poor, and he had no ambition to
learn, so that he was disliked by all and came
out of school with but little more knowledge
than he had when he entered. His education
was completed in after life by his own efiforts.
Throughout the first half of his literary
career, Mr Trollope was engaged in other
business. He was employed by the English
government in the post office department, in
such a capacity that his duties required consid-
erable travelling. Indeed, a very large portion
of his time was on the boat or in the rail-
way coach. He was now fully convinced
that his living must be earned by his pen, and
that, too, by his novel writing ; and as he
could not afford to give up his position in the
post office, his time for literary work was nec-
essarily limited. Realizing the great amount
of time spent in travelling, he invented a port-
able desk which could be used on the cars or
boat. He very soon accustomed himself to
writing under these circumstances, and by
utilizing this time he accomplished a great
amount of work. Some of his very best works
were written under such circumstances. In
later life, after the post office had been aban-
doned, it was his habit to rise at half past five,
and, in the quietness of early morning, with
clear head and refreshed body, devote three
hours to his work. This time was not spent
in nibbling his pen or vainly seeking for
thoughts and words, but inconstant work. He
was for the time in another realm. He knew
what he wanted to say and could transfer his
thoughts to words with wonderful rapidity.
Anthony Trollope did not have to wait until
he was inspired before he could take up his
task, but could, as the appointed hour came
daily round; inspire himself.
By this strict application, and by his natu-
ral fitness for the work, he acquired a rapidity
of writing such as few authors have ever pos-
sessed. Long training enabled him to write
two hundred and fifty words in every fifteen
minutes that he was at work, and finally, he so
systematized his labor, that this practice be-
came a rule which was rarely broken. Hence,
as a result of rapidity and daily labor, a vast
quantity of work was produced. Ac
to his own statement, he has contnbut<
to English literature than any other li^
thor.
With his duties thus methodically ai
he was able to reckon his time with gi
curacy. If a novel was promised to tl
lisher at a certain time, he knew that il
gan it just so many days beforehand i
be completed at the appointed day. 1
was free from the hurry and bustle o
. who are continually late, and from the
and worry of those who never know a
point they will be able to accomplis
work. He was always punctual. He
always tell just how many pages of a n
had written, and just how many mort
would be required for its completion.
His plan was to show strict honesty
his work. As he held it important to c
integrity in business transactions, so
his literary work the same rule was eve
rigidly carried out. Whenever he ol
anything from other resources than hi
and that was very seldom, it was alway
acknowledged. Those who borrowed
material from other authors, and gave i
as their own, were held in low estimat
this novelist, who never lacked matter
own use.
Not only in the performance of hi:
labors did he have a definite plan, but
development of his characters, and in tl
trayal of his pictures he always had a
purpose in view, which was that his cha
should act naturally. Whatever the plot
ever the scene, whatever the crisis, he e
ored ever to make his novels represen
of real life, that the reader might see
him human nature in its varied aspects,
he sometimes succeeded in this is she
the criticism of Hawthorne, who said,
novels are just as real as if sortie giai
hewn a great lump out of the earth, at
it under a glass case, with all its inhal
going about their daily business and m
pecting that they were being made a she
Anthony Trollope tried to show men the
character, to point out their faults a
before them the beauty and manliness
upright life.
He was intimately acquainted with hii
actfers. They were to him as real p(
Although he had a large number of f
and took great pleasure in the society o
ary men, yet when sitting in his stud
thinking over his works he was in just
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
51
. company of friends and in just as
e society. Every face was as distinct
nd as was the face of any real per-
? knew every triiit of character and
manner of dress. Thus it was that
write about them, for he knew of
; was writing. By having a method,
Lo the time of working and as to the
0 be done, and by having a purpose
while developing his characters, he
limself to regular habits of life and to
lical way of thinking. Indifferent to
res at the outset, he worked quietly
is daily task, taking for his motto,
dies sine lineay' and remembermg that
dropping wears the stone. Every day
i a step in advance, every day he ac-
ed something, and thus only can he
who hopes to make the most of his
MATHEMATICS.
i>
a remarkable and consoling fact,
k'ell known writer, ** that many great
e hated arithmetic. They have had
llowers, who have resembled them in
slse."
latred, shown already at the threshold
matics, has prevented many of those
nen " to enter the gaudy edifice of
rs " with the same delight that they
; threshold of a coffee house, or a Jar-
ille. And, verily, it must be acknowl-
lat there is more attraction in an in-
of the latter species than in that cold,
though lofty vault where numbers,
mulae, and the like lie interred like
5. There no sound is heard but the
3st obsolete whizz of the rattan, the
ous "one times one is one," the a^,
Cold and passionless, embalmed in
innumerable as the stars, surreunded
des by mystic signs apparently of the
rith glaring eyes look the wild num-
o the uninitiated necromancy is not
prehensible.
nder, then, that men of a vivid imagin-
a dull understanding ; of a desultory
f^eness, or a lazy nonchalance ; of a
higher philosophy, or a dislike tor any
by ; no wonder, I say, that such men
^by those livid, uninteresting, almost
ural orbs that glare at them when
mine one of the mummies, the books.
It is very natural, also, when the restless
child, teeming with life, finds it a drudgery to
study these dead. A liking or a taste for
mathematics must be gradually developed.
It is a study totally different from any other ;
entirely abstract in nature ; absolute in its de-
crees ; correct in its results ; eternal, if man's
mind be eternal. It is the stepping stone for
most of the other sciences, not to be dispensed
with, and unique in the practice it gives to the
mind. For the engineer, of course, it is all
in ail.
To the superficial, indeed, this science is
quite uninteresting. The symbols and dia-
grams, he thinks, were invented merely to baf-
fle the student. But,
To him who in the love of the science holds
Communion with her visible forms, bhe speaks
A various language
He, who with a penetrating look gazes stead-
fastly at those embalmed remains of Euclid,
Archimedes, Descartes, and others, will find
that his dislike will gradually thaw away, like
love under the sun of matrimony; that in pro-
portion as he pierces deeper and deeper to
the dark recesses of this apparently stiff ** af-
fair " (stiff and formal as a maiden aunt), will
he find that mathematics is dead only to the
ignorant, but sensibly alive to the wise.
On examining closely the lordly palace of
mathematics, he will discover connecting doors
that lead to the palaces as well as the huts of
almost all the other sciences ; it may, in fact,
be called the science* (squared), the science of
sciences.
But, alas ! the objection is raised that nei-
ther the science* nor its professed professors
are much admired ; and, according to Bacon's
philosophy, since the fact does not agree with
our theory, our theory is "left." Still, al-
though the burden of proof lies on this side
the question, we need not despair. The sci-
ence* is never hated for its own sake ; it can
be only misconceived. As a science, and its
votaries or instructors form an indivisible
alloy, the hatred felt for the one is necessarily
extended to the other ; also conversely, the
love for the other stretched to the one.
It is to be regretted that so many mathema-
ticians, breathing the somewhat putrid air of
the tomb of Math., are turned themselves into
mummies, though not dead, passive mummies,
but live, active ones.
How much are we to be envied, we who are
free from any of these modern fossils !
M. A. TH.
52
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
SPRING.
We see by an exchange that a dizzy, dizzy
poet named Archibald, chirrups with both
jaws the question, " Spring, spring ! Oh,
what is spring !" Now, what's the matter
with you, any way, Archibald ? You must be
deaf, dumb and blind, and so badly paralyzed
that you can't think, if you don't know what
spring is. You must have sprouted up way
back among the Hoodoos. Besides, you are
pretty late in the day to be inquiring about
spring. You ought to have asked us last
fall, when we had plenty of time to tend to
such matters ; but still we haven't the heart
to refuse you outright, so just lay aside your
second hand lyre and give us a chance to
warble.
Spring, dear boy, is a pretty prickly thing-
umerbob to monkey with, on account of its
extreme cussedness. It sneaks in on a man
when he has all his winter flannels on, and
makes his celluloid collar to wilt and cavort
down the inside of his undershirt. This makes
the man believe that spring has got a pretty
solid kind of a grip on the surrounding land-
scape, so straightway he goes and hops out of
his winter flannels and stores them in a red
valise and takes them down to "uncle." And
" uncle " dealeth out shekels thereon, where-
with the man can purchase pretzels and the
foaming beer. But right here is where spring
gets off one of its big shyster acts. The man
don't get more than four blocks away from
"uncle's" before spring gets skittish and goes
rushing off to East Africa or some other gum-
my locality, where it sticks long enough to
give the man a good chance for a good, big,
double breasted yearn for his winter flannel.
But that is not all there is to spring. Oh, no;
not at all! Just gather in your pedal extremi-
ties and we'll spread out a little more ex-
tensively on spring.
After spring gets through galloping all over
the universe, it generally settles down for a
time, but it does so in such a fiery, untamed
way, that's enough to give anyone the cholera
morbus to think about it. A man may be
walking along as innocent as possible, when
all of a sudden spring jumps right on to him
and takes up a permanent residence in his
lung, and the poor critter spends the rest of the
season trying to heave that particular lung
into space. Then, again, spring will grab
hold of a man like a Durham bull and take all
the starch out of his shape in about fifteen
minutes. And then people say he has captured
the malaria or the spring fever. We
all right. We had that once, but wc
show up at lecture time just the sam
see that's what makes us call spring si
some respects. It may be wrestling
man for all it's worth and yet the res
population don't know anything abo
that the man has to go right along ai
to his regular duties besides carrying
extensive row with spring. Some o
that didn't have any intellect at all, h
" Spring, spring, gentle spring." Well
as badly off as you are, dear Archie.
saw anything very gentle about spring
because he couldn't see anywhere near
enough to be of any service to him. \
wait till spring gets hold of your fra
rips it up in the most approved style, .
if you don't think that man was a
If you don't, why then you are a big;
yourself ; so be careful, dear boy, no
too fly about drawing your conclusion
Spring belongs to that class of ind
who can " Smile and smile, and be a
still." For example : Phyllis gets up
morning and takes a bird's eye vie^
back yard, and observes that Nature i
ing about as broad a smile as it is ca^
supporting, so she climbs into her ne>^
foulard polonaise with bias puffs and c;
flounces all over it, and slaps on h
spring bonnet, shaped on a grape b
sallies forth to captivate some broc
dude who may have wandered from th
ery. But spring don't favor any sue
ceedings, and it accordingly puts up
with Nature to give up smiling for ;
and put on a regular three ply frowr
the worst of it is, Nature always say
wid you," and then its ** Hurrah, boys
Phyllis. The first thing that she kno>
ture lets up on the smile and begins i
the deep villain, and sweet Phyllis fir
air suddenly filled with descending mc
but having no umbrella, she finds the
ure to be exceeding damp, so she acco
makes a heavy move for the house, b
don't do any good. Just about two r
is enough to damage her grape box h
all her crinoline fixings, and this just
Phyllis depart from her pedestal. Bu
she gets home she makes things hum, y
bet. She begins as soon as she stril
house, by trying to pull all the bell wi
the street, and the moment she gets ins
domestic atmosphere begins to take on
ish hue, and it stays so for some tira
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
53
course, Phyllis hadn't ought to mind a little
thing like that, but still, it is rather aggravat-
ing to have your outfit spoiled when you
haven't got the ducats for a duplicate. Don't
you think so, Archie ? Of course you do. If
you didn't, we'd "tump you in der troat."
You know we don't like to be contradicted.
If we say that Christmas is the first day of
spring, why, we expect you to believe it, and
we really think, Archibald, that you would.
Perhaps, you don't know it, but it's just
such kind of individuals as you that make
spring even more rampageous than it would
be otherwise. As soon as you see two or
three blades of grass anywhere, you grab an
army blanket and rush out into the woods to
build one of your three cent spring odes.
You hadn't ought to waste your time in that
way, Archie. Those odes are so dry that the
only thing that they are good for is to start
the fire with; but still, we don't mind telling
you how to fix things up so that ihey will be
"0. K." hereafter. Just take some of your
rejected odes and put in a few expressions
like— "And he wore a boot leg for a hat ; "
"Oh, in the spring take anti-fat;" "Now
you can bet your bombazine;" " For greasy
spots apply benzine," and just hand in your
little composition as a funny article and you
will make money, in which case you will
remit us fifty cents for the idea. But we
wouldn't have you to understand that we at-
tribute the whole of the rampageousness of
spring to you, because we don't ; for there
is the inevitable seed agent, moving and house
cleaning. The male portion of the household
gets up in the morning and everything is as
usual, but when he returns as the evening
shades descend, he finds every carpet in the
house ripped up and the whole concern wear-
ing an aspect as forsaken as that of Hoboken,
and the explanation is, " house cleaning." It
has been found that house cleaning evokes
more profanity per second than any other ar-
ticle on record, on account of the surplus of
inverted tacks and unseen objects against
which to bang the toes, and yet great reform-
ers have never said a word against it. Strange,
isn't it? Just say something about it in your
next ode, and the practice will probably be
stopped. As for moving, it is house cleaning
with additional agonies, and the seed agent is
considerably worse than either. He is so
tough that no bouncer agoing can make any
impression on him, and he seems to have an
idea that all his seeds will sprout in the coal
bin, if there is no other place for them, and
he can't be hired or forced to leave until he
has convinced his victim that such is the
case.
But, on the other hand, spring is desirable
for some things. It yanks the verdure out of
the stubborn earth and makes things look as
though some one lived in the neighborhood;
and it shoves into view the camellias, chry-
santhemums and the maurandyas, and brings
down the price of rose buds. And immedi-
ately the young man goes and "puts in " his
overcoat and invests the capital thereof in a
box of " Huyler's " and one dozen rose buds.
And when the sun sinks low in the west, he
goes straightway to the house of his best girl
and presents them to her and gets the privilege
of holding her on his lap the rest of the even-
ing, and he has to spend the remainder of the
week in sponging the spot off his shoulder.
The aged man is relieved of the gout and gets
the small pox instead, which relieves the mo-
notony of his daily life and gives him the op-
portunity of looking as though he had been
riddled with buck shot.
Spring makes the heart of the patent medi-
cine man to thump his ribs for joy, and jump
around the inside of his vest with an alacrity
equal to that with which he would accept an
invitation to take a beer. His heart goes
through these capers because in the spring
time people think that they are about to die,
and so they rush off and spend about ouflFtie
9 dollars in bottled slops labelled "Sard's
Hoopsparilla " or something like that, and the
wealth just tumbles with a holiday jingle into
the spacious pocket of the proprietor, and
then he dances a large, heavy, double flip on
the glass show case after he shuts up shop for
the night.
Then the man who makes Easter cards
always greets spring like a dear friend, be-
cause with spring comes Easter, and the youth
and the maidens shell out their ducats for the
festive Easter card ; but verily, 'tis said, it is
more often the youth than the maiden, be-
cause the maiden paints a rosebud with the
mumps on one of her last year's cards, and
sends it again to him that sent it, which makes
things peculiarly interesting all around. But
still the youths are plenty, and the card man
is muchly elated like unto the medicine man.
And so spring goes ; but if you want to
know still more about it, Archie, just come up
to the " ssnctum " next summer and we'll war-
ble you a little spring ditty with extensive va-
riations. Now for fear that you might forget,
even now, what spring is, we will make the
54
THE S TE VENS INDICA TOR.
thing practically impossible, if you will re-
member the following little formula:
You may know that spring is with you when you feel
its heavy clutch,
And you feel as though you'd eaten just a little bit too
much;
And you hanker for vacation and the Sunday morning
sleep,
And you clear the rubbish from the yard and pile it in
a heap.
And yon hire some Celtic bummer, whose heart is cold
and hard,
To heave the heap of rubbish into your neighbor's
yard.
But these are merely harbingers that tell of early spring,
But when it gets a fiimer grip, it's quite another thing.
So, when the Irish fairy wets the sidewalk with the
hose,
You may go right down to '* Uncle's " and get out your
summer clothes.
T. Dingus Kehoe.
■♦-4-
PHYSICAL CULTURE.
The first element of success for one who
has wisely chosen his calling, is constitutional
talent; or, in other words, he must be possessed
of superior bodily stamina in order to impart
warmth and vigor to his ideas. Till within a
recent period, bodiculture, if it may be so call-
ed, has been neglected in this country; people
everywhere have advocated the midnight oil
for the young man, and our oracles of educa-
tion have urged unsparing study. It has been
truly said that the influence under which the
young American, and especially the student of
the past generation lived, taught him to de-
spise the body while the mind was goaded by
preternatural activity.
But now we are beginning to see that the
body as well as the mind has rights which must
be respected, and we are learning by bitter ex-
periences, that if the mind, which rules the body,
tramples on it, the slave will not forgive the
offence, but rise up and smite the master. We
now begin to see that the pale faced, sickly
youth may take the prizes in college, but the
man who has broad shoulders to bear the bur-
dens of life takes the prizes that that offers.
Henry Ward Beecher, in an address before
the students of Yale College, said, " That
there is an organization which we call the ner-
vous system in the human body, to which be-
long all the functions of emotions, intelligence
and sensation, and that is intimately connec-
ted with the circulation of the blood and aera-
tion of the lungs, that the manufacture of the
blood is dependent on the stomach, so a man
is what he is, not in one part or another, but
all over; and when a man thinks, he thinbhis
whole trunk through. " In order that a man may
do his work well, he must have a working con-
stitution, and this can only be acquired by a
requisite amount of bodily exercise. It is no
exaggeration to say that health is a large in-
gredient of what the world calls talent. A
man without it may indeed be a giant in intel-
lect, but his deeds will be only those of a dwarf;
on the other hand, if he has a quick circula-
tion, a good digestion, and sinews in well de-
veloped condition, e'en though he have but a
thimbleful of brains, will either stumble on
success or set failure at defiance. A pound
of energy with an ounce of talent, will achieve
far greater works than a pound of talent and
an ounce of energy. Intellect in a weak man
is like gold in a spent swimmer's pocket.
The effect of the culture of the body is
strikingly seen in the nations of antiquity,
where gymnastics and calisthenics formed a
part of one's regular school education, and
with them we have an example of what great
workt can be executed by man when he has
good, oxygenated blood flowing through his
brain. It is told of Cicero that at one time in
his life he was the victim of a train of diseases
summed up in the word '* dyspepsia " — ^mala-
dies which pursue all overworked men as
sharks follow the wake of a plague ship.
The orator went not to physicians, but to
Greece, where he flung himself into the gym-
nasium and submitted to its regimen for two
years, and returned to his duties as vigorous
as peasants that till the farm.
The success of those giants of antiquity,
Aristotle and Plato, was due in a great meas-
ure to the harmonious education of the mind
and body; no dyspepsia affected their stom-
achs, no neuralgia agonized their muscles, ne
philosopher's ails infected the throat with bad
blood or ulcerated mucous membrane. Hor-
ace Mann says: " When I was in college I was
taught all the motions of the planets, as care-
fully as though they were in danger of getting
off their tracks, if I had not known how to
trace their orbits, but of my own organization
I was left in entire ignorance," and, as a con-
sequence, he broke down in the second year of
his college life, and never after enjoyed good
health. Let men who are stripping for the
race of life account no money as wasted which
contributes in any way to build up our physi-
cal constitution.
We, as students, recognize these facts, and
have put forth zealous efforts toward the es-
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
55
t of a gymnasium, and feel that if
s and faculty would only look at it
it we do, they would lend us their
d the erection of a permanent gym-
Stevens.
« ^ » >
OGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF
JOSEPH SAXTON.
has produced some great scientists;
e to say, this fact is continually over-
our writers of text books, and the
lent in this country naturally thinks
)e is the only land where scientists
h.
Dks to the contrary, we have reason
i of the work done in this country
vancement of science, and among
)utors in this field there are names
many of Europe's famous men in
nent of a world wide reputation.
of Joseph Saxton stands promi-
le first rank of scientific men, and we
hort sketch of his life, written by
Mayer. Its perusal should prove
and instructive, especially to those
lave supposed that some of Saxton's
us discoveries were the result of
or.
Saxton was bom in Huntingdon,
lia, in 1799. ^^ ^^s one of the
ious inventors and skilful mechanics
vast number which our country has
0 claim as her sons.
je of twelve he began work in his
1 factory, and here first showed his
;enius by making a capital improve-
e machinery in his father's shop,
tly he was apprenticed to the village
r, but his employer dying, he left
village on the Juniata in a boat
s own hands, and floated in it down
irg ; here he sold the boat for $10,
reakfast and a night's lodging, and
lis journey reached Philadelphia a
ghteen years. Just before he left
et with one of those accidents which
hose who deserve them — turn the
a mind into hitherto an unknown
thought and action. One day, on
0 his rifle with the ramrod a ball
:h a greased patch, the ball sprang
such velocity, from the elasticity of
d air, as to project the ramrod from
Determined to drive the ball home,
he end of the ramrod against a tree.
and giving a rush at it with the rifle, the ball
went down, but he also; for the ball descended
into the rifle so far and so rapidly that heat
was evolved from the compressed air sufficient
to project young Saxton at full length on the
ground. Recovering his consciousness, he
began to think of the cause of this remarkable
explosion, and he reasoned that the air,
when suddenly compressed, was like a nail
when suddenly compressed by a blow of a
hammer — they both being heated by the
mechanical action on them. Subsequently,
he found out that the reason which he had dis-
covered for himself was that generally adopted
in books on natural philosophy, and this fact
gave him a reasonable confidence in his own
reasoning powers and stimulated him to apply
himself to the study and investigation of the
actions of nature.
In Philadelphia he worked at watch making
and engraving ; and while there he, with the
celebrated machinist, Isaac Lukens, made a
clock for Independence Hall which, to this day,
sounds the hours from the belfry of that his-
toric building.
An insatiable desire to enlarge his knowl-
edge of things and men made him live
low and save his earnings, so that he might
visit England. Reaching London, he placed
his money in the care of a banking house, just
in time to lose it by the failure of the bank.
He awoke one morning to find himself de-
pendent entirely on his own exertions, in the
heart of that mighty city, without money and
without friends. Driven to his own resources,
he invented and constructed several ingenious
mechanical toys, which had a great success at
the Adelaide Gallery of Practical Science, then
one of the most popular resorts of London.
Here he met, among many of the eminent
engineers and men of science, Telford, Brunei,
Faraday and Wheatstone. With the latter he
was associated as assistant in making the cele-
brated experiments on the velocity of elec-
tricity ; indeed, he not only constructed the
apparatus, but he actually worked it for Wheat-
stone in his experiments. How much of the
success of Wheatstone was due to Saxton, I
leave for those who are skilled experimenters
to infer.
While in London he was the first, in 1833,
to make a magneto electric machine, which
exalted to such a power the magneto electric
currents, recently discovered by Faraday, that
his machine decomposed water and gave an
electric light between charcoal points. Three
years after this, in 1836, Clarke, of London,
56
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
n&erely changed the form of the instrument
and claimed it as his own invention ; but
Faraday, Wheatstoue and Daniell stated that
Saxton's machine had been exhibited in 1833
before the British Association for the Advance-
ment of Science, at its Cambridge meeting,
and that he was the undoubted inventor. Yet,
to this day, even in American text books, the
machine is from injurious ignorance called
Clarke's magneto electric machine.
Saxton was always fond of field sports, and
in the course of his experiments in fire arms he
invented the metallic cartridge now so exten-
sively used in all armies. He failed, however,
to patent this invention, which has been the
source of great emolument to the owner of the
patent right. Mr. Saxton was also, I believe,
the first to apply a sighting telescope to the
rifle.
While in London he made many inventions,
among others the fountain pen, a water gauge
for steam boilers, the reflecting comparator,
the locomotive differential pulley described by
Hawkins at the 1833 meeting of the British
Association ; also a method of determining
the position of the magnetic poles in the in-
terior of the earth. The results obtained by
this method were subsequently found by the
mathematical investigations of the celebrated
Poisson, of France. He also made a machine
which obtained electric currents from the
earth's magnetism, and another which cut
epicycloidal teeth for gearing.
While in London he was offered the respon-
sible position of director of the printing
machinery of the Bank of England. His
ardent desire to return home prevented him
from accepting this position. On the eve of
his departure for his native land an entertain-
ment was given him by several of the most
eminent savans and engineers of London. At
the dinner a work on mechanics was presented
to him by John Isaac Hawkins, on the fly leaf
of which is the following inscription;
"Presented April 26, 1837, by the editor, to
Joseph Saxton, Esq., of Philadelphia, at a
farewell dinner given to him in London, pre-
vious to his departure for America, by eighteen
of his friends, as a token of the high estimation
in which they hold him as a mechanician of
the first rank and a man of science generally ;
in which estimation his fellow citizen, the
editor, stands second to no one."
About the same time there appeared the fol-
lowing in one of the English journals of
science : " Mr. Saxton, of Philadelphia, now
in London, who is justly celebrated for his
acute feeling in regard to the nature \
of accuracy in mechanism, and who i
not to be excelled by any man in E
America for exquisite nicety of work
has made an instrument for cutting
of wheels truly epicycloidal. Such 2
ment ought to be in the hands
engineer."
Here we find Saxton about to reti
home, his character developed intc
and self reliance, and his mind em
the knowledge gathered in London d
association with the first men of sci
engineers of that day ; and also ho
them as a worthy fellow worker.
Thus we see Saxton "hoisted b)
petard " — the explosion of his rifle pi
landing him on high ground in Lone
He reached Philadelphia in 1837,
made curator and constructor of the
weighing apparatus of the United St2
Here he made several notable invent
will only mention the perfection of G
medal ruling machine, and a stove 1
ing anthracite coal, provided with
matic valve to regulate the draft. 1
was worked by an expansion of tw
whose action caused the stove to k(
equal temperature.
In 1837 Mr. Saxton was awarded
Legacy Medal, by the Franklin Insi
the invention of the " reflecting com
This instrument is familiar to ou
and need not be described here.
Mr. Alex. D. Bache succeeded Mr. I-
superintendent of the United Sta
Survey, and he at once placed Mr. \
charge of the construction of the
balances, weights and measures to be ;
to each of the States for insuring u
of measures in all parts of the cou
Washington Mr. Saxton passed the r
of his days, employing his talents in
creased accuracy and improved con
to the many refined instruments wl
aided in gaining for the United Sta
Survey the high reputation which it h
all nations.
Mr. Saxton had a manly and b'
character. He was singularly modest
to those who, like the writer, knew
mately, did he give forth those s
thoughts which showed his intellectua
Mr. Saxton died deeply lamented by
friends, in Washington, on the 26th
tember, 1873, after a lingering ilh
paralysis. Professor Henry, in his n
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
57
before the National Academy of
s (and from which these biographical
ive been chiefly obtained), says of
" He neither pestered the world with
ire projects destined to failure because
cessary contemporaneous conditions
3t present ; nor retarded the advance
rovement by advocating old errors
lew forms. On the contrary, his inno-
were founded on well established prin-
and consequently were positive addi-
human power and efficiency."
\ English navy will be supplied with
hree monster guns, one of which is now
*ss of construction at Elswick. This gun
eigh no tons, and have a carriage of
5, making a total weight of 200 tons,
arrangements, therefore, will have to
e in almost every particular. The gun
a breech loader, having a bore of 16 J^
Its length is 43 feet 8 inches, with
eter of 5 feet 6 inches at the breech,
g down to 2 feet 4 inches, with a
welling at the muzzle. Preparations
r being made for the proof trials, and
;ing proved, the gun will be tested in
to its range and accuracy. It will be
on the gun barge " Magog," which is
Jtered for its reception, or it may be
ry to provide another vessel for it.
uilding their railway to Philadelphia,
timore & Ohio Company has met and
ne a serious obstacle in the bridging of
quehanna. The bridge over that river
one and a quarter miles in length,
ig the trestle work over Garrett Island,
s about midway in the river. Across
nnel to the west there will be one span
feet in length, at an elevation of 90 feet
nean high tide, and four deck spans of
t each. Over the east channel there
a through span of 380 feet, a deck
: the same length, and another deck
f 520 feet. Thus the distance across
ige will be 6,300 feet. The approaches
\ crossing over the island are of iron
work, and the spans constituting the
ructure of the bridge will rest upon
large piers and two massive abutments
ite masonry. The piers are built upon
s .sunk by the pneumatic process to
)ttom. At one of the piers the caisson
nk to within two inches of bed rock at
one pointy when it was discovered that at
other points within the area the rock was
twelve feet lower. The whole structure, weigh-
ing over 6,000 tons, was held in suspension for
two weeks, while the bed rock was laid bare
at every point, and a concrete foundation
built up from the rock to the working cham-
ber in the caisson. The highest points of
the bed rock were blasted off inside the
caisson so skillfully that not the slightest dam-
age was done. Work is still being carried on
at the bridge.
Liquid fuel for locomotives seems to be
employed with peculiar success on Russian
railways. Mr. Urquhart, one of the most
efficient railroad superintendents in that
country, states, as the result of his experi-
ments, that the naphtha refuse has a theo-
retical evaporative power of 16.2 pounds of
water, and anthracite of 12.2 pounds, at 120 lbs.
pressure per square inch ; hence petroleum
has, weight for weight, thirty-five per cent,
higher evaporative power than anthracite.
The liquid fuel is injected into the furnace in
the form of a spray from the nozzle of an
injector, by pressure of steam. To get up
steam in one of these petroleum fed locomo-
tives, the plan is to temporarily connect it to a
shifting engine or stationary boiler, to obtain
steam for the blower and spray jet. In light-
ing up, the spray nozzle is first cleaned of
water by the steam jet, and at the same time
the blower in the chimney is started for a few
seconds to draw the gas, if any, out of the
smoke box. A piece of cotton waste or a
handful of lighted shavings is put into the
combustion chamber, the spray turned on, the
oil immediately igniting without an explosion.
The petroleum is carried in a tank on the ten-
der, the tank being provided with a gauge
glass for indicating the supply of petroleum.
For a six wheeled locomotive the capacity of
the tank is three and a half tons of oil — a
quantity sufficient for 250 miles with a train
of 480 tons gross. At present 72 locomotives
are running with petroleum firing ; 10 of them
are passenger engines, 17 are eight wheel and
45 six wheel connected freight engines.
The Mechanical Engineer of March 21, in
"Lost Car Wheels," contains some curious
facts abouts locomotives and cars running
while one wheel was missing. In a note we
have the following: " It has been established
by the roller skate races in this city, that a
man can travel 1,092 miles in 142 hours with
20 hours rest."
58
THE S TE VENS INDICA TOR.
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WE are again obliged to apologize for the
lateness in the issuing of the present
number of the paper. In former months it
was our custom either to pass the matter over
entirely, or to state that we had received no
help from the college. This time our excuse
is, that owing to the term examinations and
the ensuing vacation, we have been unable to
get our copy into proper shape for the printer.
We think that the novelty (for us) of this ex-
cuse will cause our readers to pardon this, our
first offence under the new organization.
GefflfflUf^iGMipre^s.
\ l/HE suggestion contained in thecommuni-
1 cation from a Junior struck us as being
most excellent. The benefit derived from the
recitations in Thorpe is decidedly a negative
one, and it is strange that other classes have
not taken the initiative in attempting some
improvement. The time allotted to laboratory
work is not sufficient, as the professor of the
department himself acknowledges, and it seems
to us that the roster could be so altered as to
give the Juniors their recitation hours for
practical work instead of in " day dreams."
CHEMISTRY RECITATIONS VS. TIME.
To the Editors of the Indicator :
It is a universally acknowledged fact th^B.
newspapers are merely mouthpieces of puH^^
opinion ; similarly it may be alleged with pi
priety that your excellent journal is the e^
pression of our prevalent college opinion. F(
that reason I submit to you for publicati(
my statement of a grievance, knowing, as I di
that it is endorsed by a// my classmates.
In a course like ours we need every mom<
not only for the conscientious study of lesson ^^
but also for the acquirement of additions-
technical knowledge by a perusal of period -9
cals, special books of reference, examinatioiMB
of models, machine shops, etc., in the neigb^rr-
borhood. Besides this, a reasonable amouc=:i::
of literary reading should be done by ever — :
man who desires to be a little more than ^
one-sided M. E. Now every obligatory study,
which has neither an intrinsic nor an extrinsic:
value, and which in addition takes up con-
siderable time, apparently for the sole purpose
of being invariably forgotten after the recita-
tion is over, is positively detrimental beyond a
doubt. Of such a nature do we Juniors claim
to be our present lessons in Thorpe's Quanti-
tative Chemical Analysis. In our practical
work in the laboratory we are naturally allowed
to use the text book ; for what earthly reason
are we then required to remember /i?/- one day
only a number of scattered facts, which we are
sure will ** mix thoroughly and evaporate to
dryness ^" Would any one, except an expert,
trust to his memory for the method of ex-
amining exactly, in actual practice, any sub-
stance whatsoever ?
If, indeed, we were expected to learn by
heart the way Prof. Thorpe analyzes a sample
of iron or steel, it might do us some good ;
instead of that, powdered glass, potassium,
salts, and the like, are thought to be fit sub-
jects of investigation for the embryo M. E.
The professor has been heard to say, that
he wishes to be sure we read over the text. If
that be the case, is there no other way of dis-
covering this than by asking a poor Junior to
describe the minutiae of a complete analysis ?
How soon have we not forgotten our Shaw,
studied, as it was, without interest and under-
standing ! Far better it would have been had
we read the authors themselves, using Shaw
merely as a guide in our travels through Eng-
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
59
lure. But that is a thing of the past
Let the Sophomores and Freshmen
themselves.
lusion, I beg to remsTk, that it is the
an education to teach a man where
:o find any information he desires to
he remembering of the details them-
such information is indeed an ac-
nent, while at the same time it is
the purpose of true education.
: that this communication will be
:tive than its various predecessors in
.mns on ihe " Gymnasium," the study
ical Economy," the "College Pin,"
emam, yoi
s respectfully,
A Junior.
A CORRECTION.
Htors of the Indicator :
Me of last month appended to the
Electrical Nomenclature was written
listaken idea, and was not the system
:he article referred. The communi-
Mr. Nystrom on the subject will be
Mechanics for December and Janu-
;hat system, the electrical units are
al to or some decimal multiple of
ry units now in use, and the whole
mutually convertible by means of
mulje.
E GLEE CLUB CONCERT.
;e Club gave its first concert Thurs-
ng, March 19. This was the first
learance of the club for many years,
d a grand success, so much so that
nts have been completed to repeat
linment. The programme included
nbers, each of which was enthusiasti-
,ved by a large audience, made up
irely of the personal friends of the
of the Glee Club, which aided, still
laking the evening's entertainment
; most enjoyable during the season,
e of the evening was Miss Dunn, of
■ ho gave " Marguerite so Fair," and
yes so Blue," in the first part, and
' and an encore, in the second,
re Club deserves the lion's share of
for its part in the performance, the
being all well chosen and admirably
rendered. Mr. Camp, the leader, has succeed-
ed, with the excellent material at his disposal,
in making this Glee Club the superior of any
that have sung at Stevens. Many of the se-
lections were encored, the audience not failing
to show their appreciation of the club's efforts.
Mr. Brainard's ('84) warbling and Mr. Post's
('74) cornet solo were features of the evening.
" George Washington " visibly affected the
patriotic audience and was received with
rounds of applause. The mournfully solemn
song, the " Bold Fisherman," in which the
solo part was taken by Mr, Hart ('87), also
seemed to find favor with the audience, and
had to be repeated.
Messrs. Johnson and Horn, in their banjo
duets, completely captivated every one, as the
encores bore testimony. Their playing was
perfection, and received a perfect ovation.
The Institute Banjo Club did their part well,
and were very effective in their accompani-
ments to several of the glees.
After the concert the floor was cleared for
dancing, as a wind up of the entertainment.
THE COLLEGE PIN.
We take pleasure in placing before our
readers a cut of the new college pin. After a
great deal of discussion, this design was
chosen, and has already become a familiar ob-
ject to the students and Hobokenites. It is
made up of two kinds of gold, with a jewel
placed either in the headlight or the boiler
front, according to preference. It is not our
purpose to criticise the pin, as the matter has
been settled, and anything that may now be
said adds only to the dissatisfaction of the few
who opposed the design.
However, The Indicator congratulates
itself and the college that the idea of a college
pin has at last been acted upon. We believe
that every Freshman class for ten years back
has advocated such a scheme ; but it has re-
mained for '88 to awaken sufficient enthusi-
asm among the higher classes to result in the
choice of such a pin. This year was also very
6o
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
favorable for such a scheme, as there were two
classes without any pin. We hope that this
design will find favor with our Alumni,
as it has with most of the students. The
price is not so exorbitant as to debar a
student from purchasing a pin, if he so desires
—and we earnestly hope that he will so de-
sire.
We also take occasion to thank the Seniors
for the utter indifference displayed by them
during the entire discussion. It is not amiss
to state here that they came up and voted at
the last college meeting, as upon a matter of
vital importance to them. Perhaps they con-
sidered the subject too trivial for them to ar-
gue about. However, we do not care about
that now. One of the many objects for which
The Indicator was brought into existence
has passed away. It now remains for us to
turn our attention to the gymnasium agitation.
Yes ; we at Stevens are progressing.
COLLEGE PIN COMMITTEE.
•86.
C. J. Field, Chairman.
Wm. S. Chester, James S. Merritt.
'87.
M. C. Beard, Wm. F. D. Crane,
Theo. Theberath.
'88.
L. L. Eppinger, a. R. Kolb,
Hubert S. Wynkoop.
« ^ » >
IMPORTANT.
senior promenade.
Until last year commencement at the Insti-
tute was a very democratic affair. The exer-
cises occupied only one day, and usually con-
sisted, beside the graduation exercises proper,
held usually in the hall of the German Club,
of a meeting and banquet of the Alumni Asso-
ciation, and a reception at President Morton's.
Last year the graduating class extended the
programme so that it lasted four or five days,
and made many improvements, so that it be-
came more nearly like similar events at other
colleges.
This .year the Seniors are making extended
preparations for commencement week, and
hope, if possible, to improve on the past year's
programme. In order to make the week a
successful one, it is necessary to hav
thing each day, so that the programme
a continuous one. For several yea
modic attempts have been made to ha'
during the exercises. This year the
have taken up the project again, ai
placed the task of making all the arran
in the hands of a committee of sevei
Senior Promenade is to occur on J
and through the kindness of th<
bers of the German Club, the hall co
with the building has been secured, a
intended to be an affair which shall b
orable in the history of similar event
hall will be decorated in an elegant
for the occasion. Flowers, plants, fi
draperies will lend picturesqueness an<
to the scene, and sweet music will
coursed by a large orchestra. The <
will be served by the regular club cate
will be instructed to spare no expens
programmes are to be engraved in the
style of the art, and are to be so arra
to form an appropriate souvenir of th
In order to make the ball a success i
essary that the committee have the he
operation of the entire college, and
alumni, and they feel safe in relying
sympathy which has never yet been re
enterprises involving the reputation
college as this does, to furnish substa
to the project. The tickets have beei
at a low price, and admit gentlemen wi'
to everything without extra charge. T
be procured from the members of tl
mittee, or from any member of the ch
^^»
HIGH SCHOOL NOTES.
Prof. Sevenoak is said to have ca
the Princeton College nine for several
" 88 " has lowered herself in the eye
community by taking — (** hooking")—
a base ball bal belonging to the Prej
The members of the 4th class have
the study of physiology this year.
seemed most interested in the stud^
calves* brains, and after the close of th"
54 hands wandered unconsciously tov
cerebellum, and finding the little braii
position, 27 grins o'erspread 27 Prep.
The High School expects to have a
lent base ball team this year, althougl
the last year's team have left.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
6[
average age of the two highest classes
ligh School is 17 years. The average
he two lowest classes could not be as-
mI, as some of the members had not
to speak, and those who could did not
)ut referred us to their nurses.
ed. — Competent nurses for Prof,
's Kindergarten.
tfarch 13 was organized the " Metro-
Amateur Lacrosse Association," com-
in its membership four clubs, viz.: the
ork Lacrosse Club, New York Uni-
Williamsburgh Athletic Club and Ste-
institution was adopted and officers
, as follows :
ident — J. R. Flannery, VVil'msburgh.
President — E. J. Cook, - Stevens.
Treas.—}. C, Gerndt, N. Y. L. C.
1 Directors:
Matthews, N. Y. U.
lARTiN, VVil'msburgh.
SON, N. Y. L. C.
.IN NORRis, - - . . Stevens.
e seven men form a Board of Directors.
e is to be an annual convention com-
)f the above directors and two dele-
om each club, each man to have one
This convention, which meets the first
' in April, arranges the schedule of
i to be played, decides upon a trophy
:les all disputed points which may be
up.
latches are to be played on inclosed
i, two thirds of the gate receipts to go
.ome club.
meeting of the " Metropolitan Ama-
crosse Association," held at the Knick-
r Club Cottage, New York City, April
were present, J. R. Flannery, of the
sburgh team, and President of the As-
q; Mr Gerndt, of the New York La-
riub, and Secretary and Treasurer of
the Association; Vice President, E. J. Cook,
and E. G. Coldewey, of Stevens; Mr. Roberts,
of New York University.
The business of the meeting was the ar-
rangement of schedule of games to be played
this spring, of which the following is the list;
April 2S— Sleveni vs. N. Y. University. - »1 Brooklyn.
May a— Stevens vs. N. Y, Lacrosse Club, at Brooklyn.
" 7— N. Y. Universily vs. Stevens. - al Hobaken.
" 9— Wrasbot^h vs. N. Y. University, at Brooklyn.
" 13 — Stevens vs. Wiliiamsbur^h, - at Williams-
" 16 — Wmsburgh t'j. N. Y. Lacrosse
Club. - ■ - - at Brooklyn.
•' 2i-N.Y.Lacr05seClubT.i. Stevens, at Hoboken.
■' 23— N. Y. Lacrosse Club vs. Wil-
llamsbkirgh, . at Williamsburgh.
" 28 — Williamsbui^h V3 Stevens, - at Hoboken.
" 30 — Tournament.
June 6— N. Y. Univereily vs, Williams-
at Brooklyn.
. N. V. La-
■ at Brooklyn.
Our Lacrosse team have arranged a game
vith the Druids, at Baltimore, on May 16.
University, -
" 20 — N. V. University v
crosse Club,
The following dates have been arranged for
base ball games :
Troy.
Although the score of Saturday's game
showed a majority (11 to 7) in favor of the
Waisessing team, Stevens displayed a much
better form. At the bat, the Watsessing scored
9 base hits, while Stevens, 11, The errors
are a tie, but in earned runs we are far ahead.
The pitching was " wild " in the first innings,
and to this can be attributed the loss of the
game, as 7 runs were then made. For the
first game, all acknowledge that Stevens is to
be congratulated ; but, it is hoped, next time,
members of the team who cannot play will
notify the captain of that fact, so the team
will not be inconvenienced.
The Spring Athletic Games are to take
place Thursday, May 14th. Entries close on
nth inst. There are to be sixteen events,
including the lug of war.
The committee earnestly requests the stu-
dents to take an active interest in this matter,
and to go into training at once for the various
events- The prizes are to consist of medals.
6j
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
sBRsefiaus.
The following Stevens men are now at the
New Orleans World's Exhibition :
HORNBLOWER ; wjth J. & P. Coates' Thread
Factory.
'So.
G. W. Bond ; in charge of Pratt & Whit-
ney exhibit.
'83-
L. M. Herney ; with Linde, Smith & Co.,
New York, Ice Machinery.
'84.
R. L. Fearn, in charge of Graydon & Den-
ton, the Atlanta Engineering Co.
L. D. and W. Carroll, in the office of the
Superintendent of Machinery.
Examination \%past.
Have you passed?
Cribs for sale by the million. Apply to the
class above yours.
Chambers Street clothing dealers boast that
they can suit anybody.
Order your college pin at Newman's no7v,
before the rush sets in.
Juniors are referred to Clerk, '85, for an ex-
planation of c^vH/^r-efiiciency.
Remember the Glee Club concert in Brook-
lyn, on Wednesday evening, May 13.
A Champagne Tap is the subject of a spir-
ited Freshman's examination drawing.
The Juniors are complaining that the exam-
ination in kinematics has been too easy.
Prof, in chemistry: " Then — er — a
you add some — er Ev-r —
"My kingdom for a — pony !" wj
a Junior fetched before Prof. Woo
ination.
Prof, of Physics : " What is veloc
Funny student : " Velocity is wt
sets a hot plate down with."
Prof.: " What metal dissolves bro
Student: Nitric acid." {Laughter
Prof, (amazed and puzzled): '^
"Th!
Our worthy janitor has remonstrat
our stuffing him into the Sluing i
time. We have listened to his pray<
spared.
Spring has come. Hoboken saloo
display their tempting bock beer sign
cient spring chicken is within reat
landlady, and baseball practice has b
The third and last terra has coi
It is a fact well worth consideration
paratively (ew (?) new text books aj'
The only man in Hoboken that is iw
with this is Mr. Luthin.
Have you a camera, a banjo or a '
What ! behind the age ? Hurry up
them, one or all, if you wish to be c
of Stevens' sons. They are at pres
in fashion than the College Pin.
A student, in the last examinai
given a number of problems, one of v
an original one. He thus tersely s
" Professor, I have never seen this
before." His horizon was contractei
Prof. MaeCortTs "Paradox:" If t:
ating point of a curve move, at any pc
one direction at the same rale with
moves in the opposite direction, it i
still and will consequently moi'e pei
larly to that direction.
The Professor of Engineering a
students to omit the covers for exa
One of the men interpreted this lite
tearing the showy red cover off I
brought the latter in his inside coat \
examination. O, tempora ! O, more
Is it at all characteristic of the pri
the chairs in the chemical lecture roo
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
63
iJy ones that are fastened to the floor ? In
lucidation of this point it must be considered
hat the Prof.'s high seat, the only loose one, is
ound at times lying on its belly in the back of
the room.
Upward of one hundred and thirty dollars,
outside of previous expenses, were realized by
the Glee Club. All expenses lie. The B. M.
consequently did not find it worth while
to go to Canr.da. He has been re-elected, and
will probably get another chance. False alarm !
He has resigned.
Prof. Leeds advised the Juniors to write out
" schemes " of the various analyses treated of
in Thorpe, in order to learn the lesson the
better. One of the students complained that
"that was all right; only the Prof, don't call
us up to the board where we can make use of
those Schemes.* "
George, having received several ovations at
the concert, has conceived the idea that the
public is " crushed " on his shape, and he is
accordingly contemplating the study of the
drama in an oyster saloon. After having com-
pleted his education in this direction, he will
probably star in one of Harrigan & Hart's
productions.
The Glee Club will probably give several
concerts this season. Brooklyn, Orange, and
various other places are under consideration.
They will sing at the Hoboken High School
entertainment, at the concert of the Athletic
Association, and various other occasions.
Though young, it has shown itself well worthy
of all emulation.
Prof, (with every evidence of one who is
conversant with natural philosophy) : " The
water reservoir was covered with a perfectly
green scum, and such was the greenness of
this scum, I have not the least doubt that if a
vtriant cow had chanced that way, he would
have stopped to graze^ I'm sure." And the
class smiled some.
Student in the chemical laboratory, after
y^uly trying to adjust some apparatus, leaves
in disgust. Interview, some time after, with
Ac professor, who had meanwhile set the yxn-
roly machine :
Student : " I didn't leave it that way. Some
^' F. has been fooling with it."
Prof, (blandly) : *^Then I must be a D.
p.
In several New York business places the
following sign is posted in a conspicuous
place :
**A word to the wise is sufficient. We do
like the smell of a good cigar, but we detest
cigarettes." Reconcile this with the statement
of medical men, that " cigarette smoking leads
to idiocy" Would it apply to Stevens men ?
The students of the Stevens Institute of Tech-
nology do not cheat ; they only crib and skin.
Talking about skinning, a fellow the other day
remarked, while under the hands of a knight
of the lather box : " If you call this skinning,
it is not so bad ; but if you call it shaving , I
should prefer to have you take the other side
of your razor." It was no Stevens man, be-
cause they all skin themselves.
Temptation was too strong for Mr. Dil-
worth. He has resigned his office of Chancel-
lor of Exchequer of the Glee Club, amid the
heart-rending lamentations of the grateful mem-
bers. Mr. Field, '86, the proverbial business
man of the college, has been elected in Mr. D.'s
place. It is to be expected that the young
club will prosper under the new director, as it
has heretofore under the able management of
Mr. D.
Group about the large magnet. Professor
(endeavoring to magnetize a file presented by
a student, with indifferent success) : " Gentle-
men, this is strange. I — have — ugh — z. — ugh
— magnetized a great many files, but never —
ugh — found one so obstinate." But his recol-
lection suddenly coming to his aid, his face
brightens and he inquires : " Is this one of
Hawkridge's files ? Well, that solves the mys-
tery." File is retired and labelled N. G.
What is this place ? It is the foundry.
What do they do here ? In summer they
perspire, and in winter contract pneumonia.
Why do they do that last ? All on account
of the fresh blacksmiths. Is the temperature
so fresh here in winter that people catch cold ?
Not usually ; but the frisky blacksmith de-
lights in heaping his forge up with green coal,
thereby causing it to give out dense volumes
of smoke which remind one of the " gentle-
man's cabin " of the Weehawken. The win-
dows of the inferno are opened, and the sul-
phurous smoke gives place to Hoboken air
containing all the modern improvements at a
temperature of 6® Fahr. Oh — h !
64
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
Vea, verily! on May 13 the Hoboken student
will gird up his loins and hie himself hence to
the City of Churches, and after making the
necessary preliminary negotiations with the
bull pup and the patent " Bogardus bouncer"
door mat, will take his best " gyur! " to the
Glee Club's concert, where he will endeavor to
catch fifty cents' worth of melody floating in
the air, in spite of the person back of him who
insists in talking, a nervous woman in front
with a big hat, and a boy at his side who is
continually falling asleep and falling over on
him. Verily, those who miss it will be yclept
Dennis. Sclah !
We overheard the following quarrel in New
York City, between two laborers, an English-
man and an Irishman, in which the latter dis-
tinguished himself by his ready repartee :
' You're a fool," observed John.
" 'Tis all owin' to my being along with you,
. an' it's a catching complaint," retorted Pal,
" I hope the first time you mount a ladder
you'll break your neck," returned the English-
" If I do, it will save me the expense of
keeping a holiday when your neck is broken
for the public good," rejoined the Irishman,
"I wish every Irishman in New York was
transported to Madagascar," cried John.
" Then you might put up a board and ad-
vertise the city to let," answered Pat, and so
the dispute ended.
At the regular meeting of '88, a new treas-
urer was elected, and the programme was fully
as interesting as a real four-lunged boiler ex-
plosion. Deacon Whaley spoke at some length
upon the lop sided activity of collegiate deacons
in general, and upon the narcotic effect of
profanity on the nervous system. From his
remarks it appeared as though he was hopping
along the " straight and narrow way," as
usual ; but a report was circulated that he
had fallen into the habit of mixing up blue
cuss words with his daily avocations, and also
of doubting the dimensions of the ark. The
charges were accordingly brought against him,
and as he was unable to refute them, he was
kicked out of the deaconship by a two thirds
vote, as his abilities were believed to lie in an-
other direction. He was appointed Lord High
Guardian of the Overshoes, with an annual
stipend of two gum drops. Those who have
heretofore known him as "Deak." or " Dea-
con " will hereafter recognize him as " Gum-
my."
Sf^
FATE.
!iiudent gehen 2n dem Lecture
Mil tein Fraulein. ein Bon (do,
Student h>i on glueoed laundry
Xoch nicht paid far lu Hcrr ICkhn,
All &ie trelen Walnut Sliasie
Wen der sprecher durch had got,
Mitdschen sees a Sign von Oyslera
Points lu ReslauTsnt der Rott.
■Student zittert, fuhlend pockets,
Es gibt da nur Cents funf-iehn,
" Fear Sic nicht, Lieb dai dein Mutter
Wunachel sie nach Hau» zu gehen ?"
" Ich will risk it." sprach das MadschcD,
Als the turned him zur der Thur
Fur ich weit das you'll not like it
E!i>' ich Oyslen nicht mit dit.
Zuruck gehen nicht he konnle
So beiet Oysters stewed their be*t
Aber konnt' nicht eat mit pleasure,
Bankrupt [or Sauce wilt mcht dig«tt.
So bald ^ komt the Tug of Kti^
Wenn sie aufsiehen zu %>* avay,
Er winkt nach Mann behind the desk
Meaning '* Beiahl another day."
Der Mann rieft aus : ■' O donner blili,
Uenk' dose vinks are pey for you?
Uu has vinked me now funt Dollars —
Oysters, ice cream and do-loo,"
o pawn der Time piece
Als der Sludenl Home spazieret
Ei war troubled in his Mind
■■Sind Madschen mil den Oysters besser
Dnnn jtu gehen all allein?" — Ex.
Why is a Freshman like a telescope ? B<
cause he is easily drawn out, easily set
through and easily shut up.
Why is a Sophomore like a microscope
Because when seen through, small things u
revealed.
Why is a Junior like a kaleidoscope? Bi
cause every time you look at him you perceii
some new l>eauty.
Why is a Senior like a spectroscope ! Gii
it up.— Queen's College Journal.
That last's wrong ; because he spects-t
scoop all the girls in at Commencement.
« /H»y, 1885. *
Ro. 5.
-Cor25E/>l5g.-
Rot (^oM guMU« in Iti^B Bftpftncj?
■ana.
65
66
66
<S3
7+
I HE STEVENS TNOICATOR.
Stevens Institute of Technoluu\,
SCHOOL OF MECIUNICAL ENGINEERING,
>^.
FOUNDED I3Y THE LATE EDWIN A. STEVTSNS,
HOBOKEN, N. J.
no
v-mn Ph, D..
; i?, Ph. D..
TON, A.M.. C. E
C. E.,
ALati- ! .■^. i.r L-.uS, t»h. D,
CUAKt^BS f . Kii-OBH. A. M
BBV. EDWAPD WALL, A- V.
I. E. DEHTOH. M. E„ .
A. RIESENBERCea, M. E.,
C. A. CARR. Ami Eaj'c U, 9. fc
W. E, CEYER Ph. O., .
Pior. Mcci.
Ptct Mali. AT
ProC a( Rxperiraentel Mechaoiei ;
Piof. of Mvln« Eoeineeiin
>)>1»
:nr >l
S:enlH tlitllluir h ul (iMt ]rc*r< duisttv"-
iirOiainurliuidpriclieat ki]cwled|i!it>ffluilML E'arf«ri)ier|Miti. i
H.
lloboken. N". J.
STEVENS HIGH SCHOOL.
THE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT
STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,
RIVER STRKET. bsL Bth and eth. HOBOKEH, .V
OPENS SEPTEMBER dS, i885.
"FOU COURSES OF STUDY, PREPARATORY TO SCHOOLS OF SCIENCE 4«o COLLEGES
JUNIOR oePARTMENT,
SENIOR DEPARTMENT,
S76.00 PER ANNUM.
SIEO.OO PER ANNUM.
Ilinnn t^Ttntt otulnda ktl tha .t'tiha..
rcr CWaiofOM vn^y to me Llbntlan of stmrvna inatlittte
THE
^UevefiS jRdiGalisp.
Vol. 2.
HOBOKEN, N. J., MAY, 1885.
No. 5.
UPON WHAT DOES SUCCESS IN LIFE
DEPEND?
As we survey the kaleidoscopic fragments of
our civilization, our attention is arrested by
the different attitudes of individuals toward
success. To the merchant success means
wealth ; to the ambitious man it means honor,
and talent recognized ; while to the good man
the term is synonymous with the power to do
good, allied with both wealth and honor,
indeed, in the last case success depends in a
gre.a.t degree upon the two former ; for a man
may desire to benefit his fellow creatures, and
ual^s he has wealth or talent in a greater or
less degree, he will arcomplish practically
no tiling. It being the case that there are
ma-Xiy ways of regarding the term success, it
belr^ooves us, as those who are trying to live in
acc^ordance with the eternal order of our
e3c.i^tence, to look into this matter with a view
to ascertaining in what true success con-
sists.
Xt is readily admitted that success is pri-
t<^a.rily the accomplishment of a purpose.
pMrpose, then, is the foundation of success ;
^OT how could success be attained without
some definite object in view ? or, on the other
band, upon what grounds could one excuse
himself for planning for the future if the pos-
sibility of success were not admitted ? An
i4merican divine has embodied the truth in
these words : " Purpose is the eternal con-
dition of success." " There is no road to
success but through a strong, clear purpose."
The purpose may change, but that does not
insure the overthrow of success. Still more ;
this purpose should be carefully and de-
liberately chosen. Each individual has some
special fitness for one or another branch of
the world's work. His purpose should natu-
rally be allowed to take this direction. Not
that it is advisable to confine one's self too
closely to one thing. I do not believe that it
was intended that we should cultivate one
faculty at the expense of another ; but only
so long as all the faculties are exercised,
though not to an equal degree, is the law of
our being carried out. If it were not so, why
did Solomon, after stating that "there is a
time for every purpose under the sun," so
carefully enumerate ? Was it not in order to
emphasize the divine plan in which " every-
thing has a season " ?
But while I. have dwelt upon purpose as a
principle of success, I do not forget that we
may go further, and fiiiJ a principle which
underlies both purpose and success. As I have
briefly hinted, lying back of purpose must be
faith in self, the belief in one's ability to
accomplish certain purposed results. It is
idle for a man to build castles in the air, or,
as it were, think to build his house from the
roof downward ; but if, along with the plan,
there is faith, then practical results will
ensue.
Now, indeed, it would seem at first blush
as if we had noted all the points essential to
the consideration of the underlying principles
of success. It does not necessarily follow,
because success is sometimes attained without
a certain factor, that this factor is not neces-
sary. Therefore, we must not overlook a
very important, and oft times disregarded ele-
ment, which in certain kinds .of success plays
the most active part. I affirm that in all true
success, faith in a Creator is an absolute and
fundamental requirement. A man who has
no faith in such a being puts little or no trust
in his fellow man ; and, after continuing on
in such a moral condition for a time, he finally
loses faith in himself. Such a one is a sceptic,
and a sceptic is a forlorn creature, entirely
out of keeping with this world of ours.
I am now ready to answer the question,
In what does true success consist ? True
success is the accomplishment of a purpose,
not our own, but put into our hearts by One
infinitely wiser than we ; which purpose is
upheld by faith in our ability to approach to
the required result.
Must not this success, therefore, be far
above those results which the world terms
success ? And above all, is it not our duty to
remember that there are many others, young
people, entering upon life purposeless, and
needing our example and advice to cause
them to realize their individual purposes ? I
66
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
fear that our purposes are not so strong, not
so absorbing as they should be.
True success, then, requires the possession
of a purpose, of faith in the ability to accom-
plish it ; and belief in the inspiration of that
purpose by the Creator. If these conditions
are fulfilled, success, not, perhaps, as the
world deems such, but success as regarded
under the clear light of the highest -moral
standard, is certain.
C.
HOBOKEN EGGS.
Edwdrd Atkinson, the Boston statistician,
estimates that the annual product of our
silver mines is not equal in value to the annual
production of the hens* eggs in the United
States. We believe you, Mr. Atkinson, we
believe you.
From our own experience we can truly say
that, were we to depend wholly on the pro-
ducts of our mines for our subsistence, we
would have been totally obliterated from this
mundane sphere years ago, from their sheer
lack of strength. But the eggs, whew !
For pure, unadulterated Samsonian strength,
give us a genuine Hoboken boarding house
egg, and we'll warrant you that it will stand
by you longer, and put more strength into
your determination to be " up and doing,"
than a whole bank full of trade dollars.
The field of usefulness for the fruit of the
Hoboken hen seems to be unlimited; and from
latest accounts we learn that Mr. Whitney, our
• new Secretary of the Navy, has decided to use
them hereafter on board all the United
States gunboats, thus doing away with the
more expensive shells and torpedoes.
They can be used raw or boiled, hard or
soft; can be thrown a distance of from twelve
to fifteen miles, and penetrate the heaviest
armor.
As boiling destroys their power to some ex-
tent, if it is desired to completely annihilate
the enemy they should be left raw; but, if the
object is to secure prisoners, then they should
be boiled quite hard. If this is done, the
odor which pervades the atmosphere on the
bursting of one renders the men insensible,
when they can be easily captured.
This is a great step in the interest of hu-
manity, for of late years the object seems to
have been to kill as many as possible. Large
orders are now pouring in from all the great
European powers, they fully recognizing
their merits, and when once the war doud
breaks, the effect produced by these new
engines of destruction will be terrible. But,
deadly as their power is when exploded, they
are used with impunity by our boarding
houses, because of their wonderful ability to
appease hunger. We have known a whole
house full . of hungry students to have their
cravings immediately satisfied by one whiff of
this nutritious food; refusing, for the rest of
the day, all those choice viands that only Ho-
boken can furnish. Indeed, so highly is this
fruit valued, and so fully are the merits of the
bird recognized, that the fond mothers of this
town are naming their offspring after it, and
the Henerys are now far in excess of the
Jacobs or any other name formerly common
to this locality; thus proving the wisdom of
their sex in placing their boys early in life on
the winning side.
Now these are facts that pertain only to the
Hoboken bird, and we mention them because
Mr. Atkinson may have unintentionally
wronged this fowl by classing its production
among the common kind, and because, by
bringing this wonderful egg before the public,
we strengthen, with their unapproachable
strength, the statement made by that gentle-
man, and thus aid in giving the Shanghai berry
its true value. J. M.
» ♦ » «
A VISIT TO THE INDICATOR SANCTUM.
The readers of the Indicator who enjoy
a monthly feast on the literary treat practically
given away at $1.50 per year (invariably in
advance) may have felt a desire to pay a visit
to the fountain head of this marvellous flow,
to breathe for an instant an atmosphere in
which there must be inspiration, and gaze on
the editor in his haunts and engaged in actual
labor. We know just how it is ; we often felt
so ourselves before we became great, and we
are now going to take you in imagination
through the sanctum and introduce you to the
literati themselves.
Having ascended a long flight of stairs — for
the Indicator occupies an exalted position
in the world — we find ourselves at a glass
door, and here we must tarry a while, for with-
in is a battalion of Preps receiving their in-
struction. Faintly through the door comes
the sound of their baby prattle. Pretty soon
they finish, and the hall way echoes with the
patter of little feet as they descend the stairs
to the door way where they are tucked into
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
67
Lilators, and trundled around the park
iring. How happy and innocent they
jod bless the little toddlers !
ome, let us go in. Passing through a
om we reach a small, richly carved
oor way, surrounded by a sculptured
md you instinctively feel that you are
he holy of holies. Look out ! ! Don't !
My dear sir, my blood runs cold to
f the horrible consequences which
ave followed had I not in time pre-
you from opening that door ! What
lave happened ? You shall see in a
. I knock in a pecular manner, thus:
0 — one, two. Just listen to that sav-
*'l ! Do you hear that peculiar scratch ?
by the same, and a swarthy face and
d head is thrust through the door way.
dallah ! chain up Cerberus and muzzle
lU right, now step inside. You may
rn pale to see the danger which you
caped ! Had you opened that door
eenth of an inch, that howitzer facing
r would have perforated you with sev-
mds of nails and old iron, while at the
istant a trap door would have opened
• feet, and your downward progress
y a weight of several tons falling on
ead from above. You would have
irough a dark shaft into the sewer, and
ept by its raging current into the river,
newspapers would announce another
)us disappearance. Should the com-
i by any accident fail to work, our dog,
s, and the athletic editor would finish
Yes, it does seem somewhat cruel,
privacy of the sanctum must be pre-
and as you pqirceive, we treat all men
ies until we know them to be other-
:ome, let us get acquainted. This
landsome man, with the head of a
r a Vanderbilt, is our business man-
He rises and salutes us with the grace
isterfield; his business is to solicit ads.
le, melancholy man is our exchange
His work makes him tired. He is a
id hypochondriac, and is rapidly wear-
under his trying duties ; but if he
lear of the funny columns, he may
t a year or so yet. That large, power-
with stacks of muscles adorning his
arms is our athletic editor. He and
;, Cerberus, constitute our standing
They both accompany the business
• when he goes out to collect bills ;
^ also act, as already stated, as a re-
serve force, in case the combination doesn't
get in its work. This gentleman with such a
large depression in his head in the region of
the bump of veracity is our local editor. It
is his business to inv I mean collect col-
lege items. He has received numerous flatter-
ing offers from Barnum and the Russian
government, both of whom would gladly
secure his talent, but he remains faithful to
the Indicator staff. The remaining gentle-
men are mostly stockholders. They occupy
their time, when not engaged in writing for
the paper, in looking up places of investment
for their dividends. They, with our special
correspondents and stenographers, complete
the staff.
But, pray, don't be in a hurry. Recline a
little while on this silken divan and rest your-
self. Abdallah, some refreshment! While we
are awaiting its arrival, let us look at some of
the curiosities. Here in this drawer right by
us are some mournful relics. This golden
curl once waved over the brow of a Freshman
who attempted to enter the sanctum while the
combination was turned on. Sad to relate,
we afterward found out that he was coming in
to pay a subscription ; but the trap door,
weight and howitzer didn't know that, and the
young unfortunate went into the lower story.
This necklace of pearly bicuspeds and molars
is one of the numerous trophies that the ath-
letic editor hangs at his belt. They once
adorned the mouth of an athletic Soph, who
became offended at us for something in the
paper, and undertook to give us points in re-
gard to running it ; but he paid for his temer-
ity with his teeth.
But let us turn away from these, and con-
template something more pleasing. Ah ! here
comes a slave bearing a delicate refection of
sherbet and pickled clams. Be seated and
partake of it, and meanwhile let us look at
the pictures, bric-a-brac and elegant little
articles of vertu scattered in graceful disorder
around the room. That large picture hanging
over the ebony and gold etagere is by Raphael,
and is entitled, " A scene on the Morris Canal."
It is supposed to be his last work, and was
picked up by our art editor in an antique col-
lection on the Bowery. Although the price de-
manded was fabulous, it was unanimously
decided that it must be purchased at any cost.
It costs us, including frame and cartage,
$7.50, and is regarded as a great prize. How
natural is the delineation of that mule, as with
his. off hind foot he gently heaves the gondo-
lier toward the north star !
68
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
That large portrait hanging over the grand
piano is by Meissonier. It was secured
through a friend, and so was obtained at a
ridiculously low price, but the art editor
wouldn't look at an offer of five dollars !
These rugs were imported for us directly from
Turkey by our particular friend, Mr. Gold-
stein, of Chatham Street, and every piece of
furniture is, as you perceive, in keeping with
the general elegance of the establishment.
What, must you go ? Well, we hope that
you have enjoyed yourself, and any time that
you wish to pay us another visit, we shall be
glad to entertain you. Notify us in advance,
and we will have the combination turned off
and a muzzle on Cerberus. Good morning,
sir ; good morning.
• ^»»
CHEAP *• LITERATURE."
Great as is the benefit conferred upon man-
kind by the press, still much evil is done by
a too great freedom of its power. Perhaps
one of the greatest is that which results from
the enormous quantity of worthless literature
that is issued every year. One must deplore
the wide circulation that this trash has at-
tained among the readers of this country, for
however much we may pride ourselves on
being a nation of readers, it is to be regretted
that such poor quality should find so ready
a sale. Go where you will, these miserable
papers meet your eye ; on the corner stands,
in the news rooms, hung in the most conspicu-
ous places, where their pictures or fiashy
headings may catch the eye, and thus act as
a bait for the unwary, who are too often caught
in the trap.
If you could station yourself in one of these
places, you would be surprised at the number
of intelligent persons that buy this truck, or
at the number of young children sent by
thoughtless parents, and who, childlike, search
eagerly for the pictures, thus laying a found-
ation for a task that often lasts through life ;
for this is a most powerful way of conveying
ideas. Again, most of you have seen men
standing in prominent places, distributing
copies of these papers, and if you have
i^atched with some care, you must have been
struck with the pains they took to place them
in the hands of those whom they thought
likely to read them. Having a desire to
know what they contained, I procured one,
and will give you a brief account of what I
found in it. On the first page was the picture
of a room, in which stood a cross-ey(
with clasped hands and her head throiR
at an angle of forty-five degrees. I co
tell whether this was an attitude of tc
of supplication, but before her stood a *
of the deepest dye," with clinched fis
scowling eyebrows that almost met hi
while underneath the whole were the fo
words : " Marry me you will, though
through the blood of Henry Harvey to
you !"
I don't know whether Harvey had a
plus blood or not; but if he had, I tl
would have objected, as no man cares
ing another trotting through his bla
you can't blame him.
On page number two, I found anotl
ture. This represented a cliff near
was a tree, and on it (the cliff) stood a
girl, with arms stretched out toward
black patch of ink in the distance, ir
thought might be an elephant in disgi
was wrong, however, for the words und<
again explained matters : " Father of a
shall I do ? Shall I throwm yself into y<
waters, into a grave that never gives
dead ?" The water must have been tc
or else she was afraid of getting we
way, she didn't do it, as that would hi
ished the tale, and I found on looking
on that '^ the continuation of this t
story will be found in number 239 of the
I glanced at the opposite page and s<
another picture, in which the irrepi
maiden was again present ; this time
gentleman, a friend, I suppose, for by \
again in the place where I derived my
information, 1 found that " Viola nestl
golden locks on his manly bosom anc
whispered ." " To be continued
next." Such is the choice readinj
papers that say their aim is " to ara
instruct and to benefit." The autl
these stories write them in a mann
culated to win the sympathies of their
in the grossest acts of injustice; atte
to clothe them in a thin garb of moral
very presence of which makes the danj
fold greater. Thousands of copies 0
papers are published weekly, and are sc
broadcast through the land ; not c
cities, but in the smaller towns ; even
farm houses, one may find them in
ance.
The fruits of this and similar read
seen almost every day in the papers
the police courts of our large cities.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
69.
Other day that three young culprits
ifore the New York authorities for
some three hundred dollars. They
led themselves with revolvers and had
I New Orleans, " to paint the town
J they expressed it. " Oh, we're bad
id one of them to a reporter, who had
talk with him. Another of the same
vho had shot a man, said to the officer
I him in custody, and with all the airs
me novel braggadocio, that " a feller
ough until he downed his man," and
gh was looked upon as a hero by an
g crowd that followed him to the sta-
le weeklies and dime novels are not
publishing pernicious reading ; the
lilies of our large cities take special
obtain information in regard to the
::andal, sifting it to the bottom, and
t before the public in all its filth,
ill pay thousands to have such matter
across the ocean or wired over the
It. As gatherers of news they are
of success, but so much cannot be said
good influence they exert on man-
is to be done, then, to change the
f this great mass of readers ? Cheap-
:he standard works will not alone ac-
1 it, for they are already as cheap, if
aper, than this popular stuff. Evi-
[le cure must lie in other paths, and
inot help thinking that limiting the
of the press would be one of the most
methods of remedying the evil,
r that may be, it is a problem to be
he solution of which will confer an
ng benefit on the human race.
« ^ »
OF THESES.
a Senior. The Commencement ex-
ext June will be incomplete unless I
lesis finished by that time, and I am
;aged, in co-operation with a class-
the production of that momentous
It, which is to revolutionize the scien-
Id and give us a seventy-five dollar a
eputation at once. Of course, the
g to be done was to choose a subject,
itering the Freshman class, we have
>nstant attention to this all important
1 have devoted to it many an hour,
Duld otherwise have been devoted to
seded recreation, pondering over a
large number of subjects in the vain pursuit of
something which should suit our peculiar lines
of genius. Subjects by the score have been
proposed and considered, dozens have been
selected, and twelve or fifteen of Luthin's best
blank books have been purchased and care-
fully labelled with the title of our thesis, and
as many laid tenderly away on our closet
shelves. At the last moment a subject oc-
curred to us which seemed to fill the long felt
want more completely than anything we had
before selected, and so finally our subject was
really chosen. It is as follows :
FAT AND LEAN MEN ;
OR,
THE INFLUENCE OF WEIGHT ON INTELLECT.
Before starting to write on this subject it
was necessary to gather statistics, and to this
end we left, as soon as the term began, on a
tour of inspection of the various hospitals,
almshouses, theatres and other public places
of this country, and spent a couple of weeks in
this very arduous labor. The peculiar nature
of the subject obliged us to pay particular
attention to the beer saloons and wine rooms
of the country, with a somewhat demoralizing
effect upon our general health; but since com-
ing back to the temperate atmosphere of Ho-
boken, we have gradually regained our usual
condition.
On our return from this extended tour, we
invested in a ream of paper and two dozen
lead pencils, and began to put our information
into shape. We covered the first ninety pages
with a history of corpulency, as deduced from
ancient and mediaeval history, with a table of
the weights and other statistics of the principal
men since the time of Noah, and mapped out
curves showing the relative proportions of
weight to stature, girth, size of brain, etc.,
etc. Coming down to modern times, we gave
statistics, collated from various authorities, of
the relative numbers of fat and lean men in the
various countries of the world, and the way in
which these proportions varied with the prom-
inence of these nations in art, literature, sci-
ence and military prowess, comparing them
with the United States as a standard. This
covered seven more pages. We also supplied
one quarter page with a valuable and extended
series of experiments, conducted by ourselves
with great care, on prominent citizens of this
city and New York, with deductions there-
from, and filled up the remaining two and
three fourths pages with general deductions
as to the desirability of certain weights, in-
70
THE S TE VENS INDICA TOR.
structions for self conversion from one weight
to another, rules for dieting in order to main-
tain a desirable weight when once attained,
etc., etc., and were winding up with an elo-
quent peroration when we were obliged to
break off abruptly in the middle of a sentence
on attaining the one hundredth page, as we
were unable to purchase more thesis paper,
our washerwoman at this point having refused
to wait longer for a bill of some three years'
standing, which ill advised course on her part
obliged us to scrape together all our available
cash in order to quiet her. This will some-
what delay the publication of our work, as we
shall be obliged to secure positions in order to
procure enough funds to purchase the requis-
ite paper for its completion before it can go to
print.
We desire here to extend our thanks to the
Institute for valuable apparatus loaned us
and assistance rendered in the preparation of
this work, and to express our confidence in
the wisdom of thesis writing in the third term,
which some rash minds have dared already to
assail, urging that the time thus spent could
be more advantageously spent in regular re-
citations and term work. We desire to ex-
press our firm dissent with these views and to
say that this term has been a most delightful
one to us and apparently to our classmates.
< ^» »
ABRUPTIANA.
A BLUNT FACT CUT ON THE BIAS.
BY T. DINGUS KEHOE.
Author of. ''The Ancient Onion;' ''Pig Iron
Jingles;' "The Whisker deenie;' and
other works not worth mentioning.
" Who are you looking at ?" exclaimed
Alfred Tennyson, as he woke up last month
and found the sun shining in his face.
" Don't talk to me that way, Alfred." re-
plied the Sun. " I was only wondering why
the British government don't borrow your
countenance to paralyze the Arabs with. Is
it because they can't get anything to tack it
on to ?"
" Right you are, Sol," said Alfred. " Whose
intellect were you using that time ?" " Bis-
mark's," answered the Sun. **I took the
whole business, and I'll hock my suspenders
if I haven't used it all trying t© settle up
that little question about your cou
Bismarkll hire a Dutch carpenter
him all over the empire when he find
I've used up his entire intellect."
"Nothing mean about you, Sol,
If Bismark ever gets another intelle<
he'll anchor it on to his head with a
But in regard to my countenance, I i
fess that it's looking rather rumm
present, because I'm in a complete
organic separation, or in poetic lang
all broken up. You see the royal
the queen, sent down the other da
me construct a poem against the
being presented before parliament, wl
pels the queen to dam the prime
socks, but I'm blamed if I can start
thing. Can't give me any tips on th
I suppose ?"
" I can't give you any on the pc
turned the Sun, " but I'll tell you
can do. Just pack up your Saratog
right along with James Russell Lo\
he goes back to America. That's
where you can get a poem built for f
and I'll wager a lead quarter that th
think your poetry is improving. I
the scheme."
"That's a good idea, Sol, but A
such a blarsted wilderness, you know,
reclaimed from barbarism."
" Don't you worry your giblets at
Alfred. You'll find it plenty large c
hold you. Why, America has been
hold as many as thirteen or fourteen
men at one time; but I must be goi
got to go and melt the starch out of t
shirt front, so I'll bid you good day,
along."
Alfred concluded to follow the
plan, so he made a terrible effort, and
to get up in half an hour. ** I'll hie i
to the queen," said he to himself, a
justed his paper collar and pullec
gaiters with a boat hook. " I must
her consent, and after that the
ducats," and with a yawn that wa
furniture and knocked the putty oi
windows he left the room.
" Wie gehts, Vic," said Alfred, as 1
hop, skip and jump into the royal
** How's things ?"
"Cheese it, Al," exclaimed th
" Keep your hoofs off the floor.
polished last week. Where d'you g<
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
71
lOve, any way ? I haven't seen you
:h an extensive motion since I fell
airs ; but I thought you were laid
was," replied Alfred, ** but I got ex-
r a while, so I could come up and see
:tly on biz. You see, I had quite a
tion with the sun this morning, and
he best way to shake up that poem
is for me to go to America along
1 Lowell. He says ideas are lying
oose over there, and that's just what
3f at present. How does the scheme
u?"
, it don't strike me hard enough for
-ike it back, Al, but perhaps it might
ittle training. I'm lost if you don't
. respectable kind of a lyric on that
;d old bill. I'd rather be thumped
that darning, so if you can make that
he cholera by going to 'Meriky, why,
skippez vous."
t's the articulation, Vic, that suits
eysuckle. If I can't give that bill
lache the first day out, then I'll eat
eaux. I'll make me off to Jim's im-
y, but ere I go, give thou to me the
the all important spondulix."
that's so," said Vic, " I was forgetting
ow much dost think thou need'st ?"
;ive it up, Vic. I may have to buy a
of paper collars while away, and per-
have to get out a license to live in
•k, so I think it will be best to store
rs with sufficient rocks."
right," she replied. ** Your coffers
ivell supplied. Here is a dollar thirty-
American currency for pocket money;
jingo ! Al, don't be extravagant just
y^ou've got dead loads of wealth with
3w, don't delay, Alfred, but tra-la-la
grown alacrity, and don't be the rest
ntury in getting back."
all be so," said Al, " and I will soon
ith a poem that will make your hair
Al, I hope it will be so, for then I
longer have to waste the midnight
ing up my wool in tea lead."
t will serve a double purpose," said
ich will be better still. But my tin
jclares it's time for me to get a heavy
n, so I will take my leave of you. Ta,
with the last word said, he turned
upon an orange peel and only stopped
I a step or two in getting down the
It getting the cab man to put him to-
gether again, he was soon on his way to Jim's
house. Arrived there, he found Jim packing
up his effects in an ash barrel purloined from
his neighbor's ash closet.
" Ah there, James," said Alfred, " Whither
away. What's the matter with the English
soil ? Isn't it quite rich enough for your
blood ? I heard your were going back to
America. What are you going for, any way ?"
" Bekase, Al, the climate don't agree with
me. I need change any way," said James, as
he heaved a fine large assortment of very ele-
gantly constructed sighs.
" I want change myself, Jim. I've only got
a dollar thirty-nine, and I think a little more
would make things grow better. But what
arrangements have you made for going ? If
you ain't saying a word, I'll go along with you,
and if you are saying a word, why I'll go right
along with you just the same. So I've got you
cold, anyway. You see, Her Asparagus Ome-
letts the Queen gave me permission to in-
dulge in a large, large meander, so I thought
I'd just meander over to America, the home
of the true brave, or in other words, the
land of the licensed Indian."
" I noticed that you had me kinder frigid,
Al ; so I'm not uttering a syllable. I'm going
next Wednesday on the Ticklu of the Pushem-
quick Line."
" Next Wednesday, then, is the day that I
tuck my Saratoga in my vest pocket and put
on my old gold derby and my equipoise waist
and make weighty tracks for the Ticklu," said
Alfred; "but, ere I do, I must hie me to the
pow's to put my watch on storage to get the
necessary ducats for a good supply of chew-
ing gum. I'll see you, then, on Wednesday
next," and with a graceful wave of his left leg
he emerged into the street, walked briskly into
a man and knocked his ribs out of kilter, but
by a skilful twist of his left elbow they were
quickly set right again, and he moved on.
Alfred spent the rest of his spare time in
fixing up his wardrobe. He endeavored to
iron his antique silk hat, and he constructed a
fine vest from an old pair of pants. He found
one thing wanting in his outfit, that was a
pair of light pants for the itchy spring time,
so he bethought himself of an idea. When
the morn was making a bold, bad endeavor to
glimmer, he stole noiselessly around to the
house of Baron Cubeb. Arrived, he paused
cautiously for a few moments, but silence was
the only audible sound. Then grasping his
spade, he dug forth the baron's light breeches
from the ash heap and with a Herculean
72
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
effort he tucked them under his vest. The
deed was done, so home he skipped. He
cleaned them up with benzine subsequently,
and made them do the great dangle act out of
the back window to give the fragrant benzine
a chance to cool off. After several more
dark deeds he succeeded in fixing his ward-
robe satisfactorily, and at last the day of sail-
ing arrived. James and Alfred trotted mer-
rily on to the boat, and after the usual prelimin-
aries, the voyage was begun. By the next
morning the steamer had gotten fairly out to
sea, and she began to breathe a little bit hard,
which made him get quite an extensive throb.
Of course, this made Al and Jim feel as
though their respective inward constructions
were anxious to get back to land, but they
didn't seem to yearn to discuss the subject,
however, so they appeared on deck making a
three ton effort to keep on a civilized expres-
sion. " Peek-a-boo,** said Alfred, as he spied
James trying to stand up on deck. " I see
you," replied James. Just then the vessel took
a good, long breath, and Alfred came rushing
on deck like a load of wood. He made a
break for James* hand, but he clutched his
vest instead, and ripped all the buttons off,
which made things rather uncomfortable for
James and it made him a little riley as well.
"I don't care, Al Tennyson," he said, " I
think you're just as mean as you can be, then,
to rip all the buttons off my vest."
"Well, I don't care if I am a mean old
thing, Jim Lowell. I think you're just awful
to get mad like that."
" Well, I guess I can get mad if I want to.
I wouldn't be such a horrid old thing as you,
any way."
I don't care for you any way. My father's
twice as rich as yours, and I won't go with you
any more, so there !"
" Don't you dare be saucy to me about my
folks, Al Tennyson, or I'll slap you right
square in the mouth, just as hard as I can.
I'm just as reckless as I can be when I'm real
mad. Keep away from me now, I ain't afraid
of you. I don't care if you have got whiskers.
My father's got whiskers as well as you. You
better go 'way, now."
" I won't. Jim Lowell, I can fight you,
anyway. I'll knock your hat right off if you
say any more to me."
"Any more."
"There now, I said I'd knock your hat
right off," but before he finished these words,
Jim grabbed Al's hat and slung it into the
briny.
"You dirty, mean old thing," exclaimed Al,
" I'll break your nose," and with one powerful
blow, he
{Discontinued on account of sickness in tkt family,)
» ♦ » *
OUR PROFESSOR.
He was a queer man, the professor. Tall,
broad shouldered, with a slight stoop, he was
a good specimen of a New Hampshire farmer.
Absorbed in his work, he seldom saw a joke
until the rest of us had done laughing, when
he would open his capacious mouth and enjoy
himself with so much heartiness that we were
constrained to give way again to our mirth-
His collections were numerous and complete-
and there was that in his manner that inspin
his students to imitate his example.
chemistry students always saved their com
pounds, and arranged the neatly labelled hot — ^
ties with much care. The zoology class started -^
out after skeletons before they had been under
his instruction for a week, merely because
" the professor had such a nice collection of
skeletons, and collections are so interesting,
you know."
I remember with how much earnestness I
saved up my pocket money until I could pur-
chase the skeleton of a howling monkey, and
how proudly I labelled it " Mycetes Seniculus,"
after the manner of the professor. And then,
how we would enjoy the Saturday geological
excursions into the country, each of us armed
with a hammer and bag, the latter of which
always came back well loaded !
Our professor was a great admirer of
Agassiz, and had at one time been his pupil,
when
" On the isle of Pcnikeese
Stood the master with his school."
We were not long, therefore, in understand-
ing why we had to be so decorous in his class
rooms, since, as we were often told, Agassiz
had taught his scholars to look upon the labor-
atory as God's sanctuary; and was not our pro-
fessor one of Agassiz's favored pupils ?
We were frequently rebuked for slight acts
which came rather from the thoughtlessness of
youth than from a bad disposition. One of
these occasions comes before me now with un-
usual vividness.
It was at noon time, and we were arranging
some minerals in the cabinet, while one of our
number strolled from table to table idly finger-
ing each object as he passed before it. At
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
73
last he stopped before a skull belonging to
"our coachman," as we called our skeleton
when hitched together. Utifortunatelyforour
professor's peace of mind, the "coachman"
Jay scattered over the table in all sorts of curi-
ons positions. The thoughtless youth picked
up a hand and arm, and by prying open the
jaws of the skull (worked by a strong spring),
managed to hide the greater part of the hand
in the mouth. Calling our attention to this
grotesque attitude, we all Joined in a laugh.
We saw no harm in this then, nor can I to the
present day understand why the bones of a
cabinet skeleton should be held sacred. How-
ever, our professor had peculiar views on the
subject.
The clanging gong had just announced that
recess was over, when the professor walked in.
At first he did not notice anything unusual,
and we were not watching him, the occurrence
hating entirely slipped our memories. At
length, after roll call, he glanced up and fixed
his gaie on the skull. He changed color rap-
idly. We became scared, we knew not at what,
■M last he spoke slowly and evidently with
suppressed rage :
'I wish to know who among my students
has had the boldness to do this thing ? I take
il as a personal insult. I thought you gentle-
men up to the present time, but now I dare
not ask you who did this as you would not
KlI If I could find out the shameless author
of this deed, I would instantly expel him from
Ihis school."
He seemed so much in earnest, so horrified,
M grieved, that we dared not look at him.
TTien, finding that he could not control him-
self, he seized his hat and rushed from the
Rcitation room.
I usually see the ridiculous side of every-
thing, and laugh when I ought to cry. This
"sed to get me into disgrace sometimes. So
wthis occasion, as the door closed upon our
pofessor, I burst out laughing. The others
l«4edat me as if I were" the most hardened
sinner in the room, but I explained :
Boys, you remember what the professor
told us last week about Agassiz ; how the fel-
W took his monkey skeleton and dressed
^ up, hat and all, and put him on the pro-
■Osor's desk. You remember what Agassiz
wd; that he hoped from the bottom of his
w that the man who performed the deed
JBaChristian man, so that he might talk to
'''Bthus: 'How would you feel if I were to
?"« your church and conduct myself in a
'^ht and indecorous manner? Would not you
feel insulted ? That is the way with me ; my
laboratory is my sanctuary ; there I commune
with God. I demand that you act here in my
church as you would wish me to act in your
church.' Isn't our professor trying to iiftitate
the ' master ' a little too much ? Oh, it's too
ridiculous ! What does he do when he comes
to a case wh:re there is no precedent ?" And
then we all laughed.
After this occurrence the professor was
scrupulously polite, but rather distant toward
us for the remainder of the term, when we
passed from under his jurisdiction. But there
is one other little incident so directly opposed
to the first that it should be related m this
connection.
Two weeks after the occurrence related
above, we went with our professor on one of
the customary geological excursions. In the
course of our rambles we came upon a
neglected graveyard in a pleasant, shady hol-
low, and seating ourselves, we proceeded to
make way with our luncheon.
I happened during this interval to glance up
at the professor, and my attention was drawn
to him by the way in ii'hich his eyes roved
about, now resting on one tombstone and now
on another. My first thought was that he was
trying to read the inscriptions, but at last his
eye rested on a stone with the blank side
toward us, and I knew that I had not found
the reason. A moment later he got up, and
walking over to the monument, gazed at it
carefully. Then he returned and folded up his
napkin. His every movement now showed that
he was thinking of that stone. As soon as we
rose he walked up to the tombstone, and with
his hammer knocked off a large specimen of
unusually fine syenite, which he proceeded to
break up into specimens for each of us, re-
serving the largest for his own collection.
With the incident of the previous week still
in my mind, I burst out laughing at the incon-
sistency of the two acts, but his surprised look
stopped me. I never see a neglected grave-
yard but the thought of this occurrence comes
to me. and whenever it does so the same old
question arises. Will you answer it for me?
Why should an old skeleton, even of a human
being, a skeleton used to illustrate class room
lectures on physiology, be any more sacred
than a tombstone placed over the grave of
somebody's friend ? If you will answer this
question, you will explain away one of the
most remarkable eccentricities of our profes-
74
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
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Exchanges, contributions, subscriptions, advertisements
and all other communications by mail, should be addressed
to The Stevens Indicator, Stevens Institute, Hoboken,
N.J,
TTTHE result of the meeting of the Athletic
1 Association, in regard to our base ball
interests, was highly satisfactory. The team
needs considerable training, and the only way
in which it can improve is by those who have
any taste for the sport going to the grounds
and aiding the men by playing practice games.
We have good material and it should be de-
veloped. The idea of lacrosse being antagon-
istic to base ball is a supposition too absurd
to discuss. The Directors only needed a little
directing ; and we hope, by the confining of
the team to Hoboken games, to see our usual
good standard maintained. Why the chal-
lenges which have been received for local
games were not accepted, we cannot answer.
It may have been fear of defeat ; but the loss
now is evep greater, for our team has lost just
so much valuable training.
■^ ■♦»■»>■
G8fflfflaRrcfljprei^.
BASE BALL.
To the Editors of the Indicator :
In view of the progress of our base ball
team this season, it may be well to look into
the cause of our defeats, and sugge
Let us read a short history of this
As early as the weather would
captain desired all those who ever
ball to come daily to the grounds :
that a team might be selected,
had little or no effect, and the c
right on appealing for players, 1
Finally he managed, after great
get nine men, four of these fron
School, who would come down to
and practice. These men (mo;
knowing that their places could r
by others, came down to practice %
a match ! Can-any one expect ev<
class base ball team under such
things? Then when we play a
students come down to the grounc
to see something great. When th(
team playing miserably, and be
badly, they (the students) think it
and growl and kick, instead of
with a vim to practice and try t
held by incompetent players.
It seems wrong that a game that
ively American, as base ball is, sh
the ground in an American col
truth is, we have too many games
instead of playing one game well, i^
half a dozen.
I think we had better give base
together, if the students are not ir
it. We cannot improve enough tc
anything. We should declare all
off, except those in town, and save
ling expenses. We could use th
great deal better to support some
esting game.
B. F. Hart,
Acting Capt. of the 1
SOCIAL.
Friday evening, April 24, Presid
received the students in the Sun
rooms of Trinity Church. The re
under the auspices of the Trinity
proved a most enjoyable affair.
of the students sent acceptances ar
exceedingly pleasant evening with
boken friends. Quite a number c
bers of the church and Trinity Gu
the reception. Dancing and singi
dulged in, the festivities continu
late hour.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
75
ri^SIGAQzeR GARS.
it term of the Senior Class is reserved
g theses. We have taken the follow-
to calculate the work lost on these
ons. The average maximum pres-
the Senior's brain runs up to ten
res, while at the time of exhaust it
inus two. The stroke is about ten
lat being the mean size of the letters
n the thesis paper). The revolutions
3 only five per day, so that the centri-
:e generated is not of any moment.
: done is evidently so small a quantity
ed not be considered at all. As a
nee, the members of the class are
ating around Hoboken and its vicin-
it any definite object, except waiting
encement to tack on the M, E, to
BASE BALL.
se accustomed to see good games of
the attempts of our team thus far
1 poor indeed.
St game has already been mentioned,
econd was nothing but its repetition.
I becoming demoralized in the third
terally gave the game away. Colum-
7 runs then, and afterward but 3 —
Our team by scoring one at a time
\ in adding up 8 ; playing a good up
after the third inning,
rsey Blues, of course, we did not ex-
efeat, but we hoped to see a better
They had the game their own way
start, and closed with the score 11
le batting on both sides was about
;, but the usual errors of our men
le runners home and the score up-
practice" game with the Arlingtons
^ht surprise. Before our catcher was
the men did well, having but few, if
rs credited to them. But the usual
time came, and with it the errors, giving the
Arlingtons 3 runs. Pattberg pitched well,
also Du Commun, while Stevens batted three
of the Arlington's pitchers all over the field.
The less said of the Alert-Stevens game the
better. The prominent feature was, again, the
way in which a team so little used to playing
match games can loose all control of them-
selves at a critical moment.
LACROSSE.
The lacrosse season of 1885 was opened on
April 25 by a complimentary match played in
Brooklyn, in which the competing teams were
chosen from the four clubs composing the
Metropolitan Lacrosse Association. N. Y. L.
C. and N. Y. Univ. playing Stevens and Wil-
liamsburg.
The game was a brilliant one, and the teams
evenly matched. Stevens and Williamsburg
finally winning by a score of 3 to 2.
A large number of ladies were present, and
the grand stand was filled to overflowing with
an enthusiastic audience.
The " fancy playing " of some of the older
players was very fine. Flannery, as usual,
showing up well as an " artful dodger."
It is a significant fact that four of the five
goals were made at the end of the field near
the stand.
Stevens was represented by Coldewey, Cook,
Norris and Post.
The first championship game of the season
was played on the grounds of the WilJiams-
burgh Athletic Club, Thursday, April 30,
between teams from Stevens and New York
University. The ground was heavy from
recent rains and playing hard work ; besides
the field was small for such a game as lacrosse,
considerable time being taken up in scuffling
for the ball on the cinder track, and fre-
quently the players would indulge in lively
digging contests on the embankment beyond
the track.
The Stevens team wore iheir striped jerseys,
making a quite effective appearance. The
first half of the game was characterized by
careful and occasionally too slow play by the
Stevens men. The experienced University
men worked energetically, and credited them-
selves with three goals during this half. On
the part of Stevens, there were a number of
brilliant plays. Post, Norris, Cotiart and Cook
eliciting applause. Isaac's long throw for
goal, from " first defense," the ball passing
76
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
cleanly between the posts, was the play that
saved our team from a discouraging defeat.
The intermission was employed in some
long running jumps, in which the Stevens'
man who didn't adopt the striped jersey, came
off the winner. Shortly after, lime was called
and play was resumed. The playing of the
first half seemed to have accomplished worlds
for our men. The University men seemed to
lack any staying powers, and were unable to
get the ball near our goal. This state of
affairs would probably have yielded some
points for our team, but time was called on
account of the sickness of one of the players.
The short rest thus gained proved of value to
the University men, and with their superior
"stick" work they prevented Stevens from
scoring, and succeeded, after hard work, in
securing one goal for themselves. Post, during
this half of the game, played almost a fault-
less game and filled his position at point very
effectively.
The team deserves praise for its playing, as
the errors which were noticeable were those
which can only be remedied by the experience
gained in playing with good teams.
Up in the grand stand sat three Stevens
representatives, but probably many were with
those three in spirit ; still we think some
bodily manifestation combined with spirit
would aid materially in giving the lacrosse
team the encouragement it needs.
Teams from Stevens, Hoboken and Jersey
City (Pavonia's and Park's) have formed the
Hudson County Polo League, and a series of
games have been arranged for the champion-
ship of the county. The members of the
winning team will each receive a gold medal,
presented by the rinks at which the gamesare
to be played. The students should make an
effort to attend the games played by our team.
Especially in Hoboken does the team need
support, the authorities at the rink permitting
the Hoboken sympathizers to howl and hiss to
a degree that reflects great credit (?) alike on
the audience and management, A little
gentlemanly tone could be infused into the
untutored soul of the Hobokenite who hails
from Shippenville by a few courteous and
forcible remarks from the floor manager.
We merely have space to note the dates on
which our team plays. They are as follows :
May ra — Hoboken vi. Stevens, Hobok<
" i8— Park's " Park
" 19 — Pavonia " Pavoni.
" 22 — " " "
" 27 — Park's " Hobok.
" 29 — Hoboken " "
The Stevens team have played a nu
games thus far, and, as a result of <
practice, they have made a good reco
ing won three games and played three "
the last one being with the " New
(hampions of the hamlet whose nan
bear.
ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION.
At a meeting held Tuesday, May 5,
rectors made a report of the unsati
condition of the base ball team. The i
was settled by a motion to the effect 1
team fulfill present engagements out c
and then confine its games to Hobo'
directors to arrange as many as pos;
order to improve the whole team. The
feeling seemed to be that there had bee
management, and also lack of suppo
base ball men in College.
'^Wl
Commencement next month.
The preliminary term of expLTinien
chanics will be held in June this year.
One examination is hardly passec
another keeps the students busy— pi
cribs.
How the deuce did the mosiiuitoes
that Hoboken's climate already agrei
them ?
The most direct method of dete
horse power— Stand behind and tic
hind legs with a brier.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
77
Find the equation of the path of a ball
when thrown by an experienced pitcher !
What kind of curve is it ?
Delinquent subscribers must pay imme-
diately, or the last two courses of the collation
of the I. P. Co. will have to be dispensed with.
Though you be only a Freshmen, you can
still procure for yourself and cetera a ticket
for the Senior promenade, provided you wish
to invest.
Difiference between Theory and Practice :
The results of theory {e.g.^ Rankine's) are too
true to be real, while those of practice are too
real to be true.
At the next meeting of the Alumni Associa-
tion, the question, " What changes should be
made in the Curriculum of the Institute?"
will be discussed.
Can any one tell us what has become of our
"yaller dog "? Has he perhaps been sent to
the exhibition of canine curiosities to compete
with spinster curs ?
Sweet Sixteen. — Prof. : " What does Ran-
kine say about the power of man ?"
Mr. B.: " Professor, all I remember is num-
ber sixteen in the table."
The zephyrs are blowing, and summer is nigh;
The sun's rays come down perpendickularl^.
The Freshies are ready to migrate in May :
They go out to row *' crowned " with carmine and gray.
Our base ball players are complaining
that " not enough time is left them for prac-
tice." It is abominable that our studies should
interfere with athletics to such a degree.
The gymnasium reminds one of the pedes-
tal for the Bartholdi statue. Everybody
wants it, but there are no funds. As to which
one will be erected first, no " tip " can be
given.
About three weeks ago a Freshman perpe-
trated the ioWoyring joke : ist F.: ** Have you
seen Coffey around here?" 2d F.: "No;
hut I have seen * Pink Tea * about this place
for the last two weeks."
C. P. is a term which has become quite
obsolete in the chemical laboratory. The
small boy will suffer from the same disorder if
'^e continues pumping hydrant water into the
'distilled He O" bottle.
Photographs of several of our handsome
Seniors are being ^old on Broadway side by
side with pictures of Mary Anderson and H.
W. Beecher, five and ten cents a copy, accord-
ing to size of —moustache.
Exercices de Conversation Francaise :
Mme. A. : Voulez vous nous montrer vos
gants de suede T*
Free translation by a Fresh. : " We want to
look at your undressed kids."
Seeing a Sophomore drinking water at the '
rate of twelve miles an hour, the other day,
we asked him why he didn't take more time.
" Why, you see, by drinking so fast, I manage
to swallow water with the air. In a few mo-
ments I have all the pleasing sensations of
soda water, without the flavor."
How quiet the Institute has become since
the Seniors have stopped recitations ! Tomes
of long forgotten lore are now hauled daily
from the library shelves, where they had been
moulding undisturbed (even by a duster) ever
since the last Senior class had used them
while " working on their theses."
Professor: "You were smoking, were you
not ?"
Student : " No, sir."
P. : " But there was certainly some smoke
there."
S. : " Yes, sir."
P. : ** Well, where there is so much smoke
there must be some fire, so I'll fire you."
And he fired.
It is worth while watching a Junior clean-
ing a beaker and saving every billigram of
precipitate, when he well knows that the bal-
ance he uses would be confiscated by the
government, if employed for weighing out
sugar or butter. Still the " books " of many
a Junior show grams to four decimal places,
without there having been any demonstrable
" fixing of accounts."
A Montreal paper says : " During the
coming month a meeting will be held in this
city for the purpose of considering the ad-
visability of establishing a confederation of all
English speaking nations." It won't do,
gentlemen ; it might be very handy in some
cases, but if Canada dver hitches on to us,
what on earth will become of our bank presi-
dents and cashiers, hey ?
78
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
Professor Wood is very fond of transposing
himself and class to the so called Mechanical
Laboratory. He says the M. L. exists in the
imagination ; and also, that it exists at the
centre of the earth. Consequently, the imagi-
nation is the "centre of the earth." So that,
when you read in Shaw about the imagination
displayed in "Paradise Lost," you will, of
course, know that he means the centre of the
earth," where he evidently must place the
scene of Satan's sufferings !
Advertisement : Beautiful, handsomely fur-
nished rooms with all modem and ancient im-
provements, to be almost given away to respect-
able, first class young gentlemen only (Stevens
men not excluded), at the fabulously low price
of % — hebdomadary. Inquire at Mrs ,
No. — , Street, Hoboken.
The blanks in the above notice will be filled out on
application for any of our bulletin board — ers. As re-
gards the charge, confer with the business manager of
The Indicator. No extra charge for including ladies
in the advertisement.
Workhouse boy, who had been apprenticed
to a small farmer, brought up as he had run
away.
Guardian : " Did they beat you ?"
Boy : " No, sir."
Guardian : " Then why did you run away ?"
Boy : " Please, sir, soon after I got there, a
pig died ; they salted it, and we had fur to eat
it. Then a calf died, and they salted it, and
we had fur to eat that. Then master's grand-
mother died, and I seed *em taking some
salt up stairs, so I runned away." — London
Topical Times,
At Williamsburg A. Grounds. — Miss S :
" Mr. C , who is that Stevens man, way
down in the middle of the field ?" " Which
one ?" " Why the one with short trousers."
Mr. C : " But they all wear knicker-
: " The one with the sandals."
bockers."
Miss S
Mr. C : "I fail to recognize him."
Miss S : " You surely see the one with
Roman style stockings."
Mr. C : " I don't understand your des-
cription."
Miss S : (desperately) " Well then, the
one with the bare 1 — limbs."
A Sophomore writes the following : " Dear
Indick.: I am afflicted with the tender passion.
The night before last I * saw ' her to the front
door, and there sighed in unison with her, our
fond hearts throbbing beneath our touching
waists. Suddenly the gate opens, and Beelze-
bub, in the role of *old man,* issues therefrom,
and, with an instrument which he lifts from
the ground without bending, * impresses ' me
from behind, letting the force act only an in-
stant. She drops up stairs, while I fly dmn
the stoop in great precipitation, /. ^., precipi-
tating my watch, a five cent piece and half a
collar button. Now, desiring to find out all
the * circumstances of aforesaid motion,* and
knowing that our Juniors are just now investi-
gating the moment of momentum^ I beg you,
kind Indick., to ask any one of that illustrious
class to calculate, first, V, my velocity of transla-
tion; secondly, W, my angular velocity; third-'
ly, E, the energy I stored during the fall;
fourthly, ^, the distance of the spontaneous axis
from the centre of percussion, A ; fifthly,
whether I would have descended in less time
had my mass been concentrated at the centre
of gravity, ^y sixthly, what would be the place
of concentration of mass in order to make E
a minimum and / (the time of descent) a max-
imum (that I may know how to act in the
future) ?"
The data given are the following :
" W. — Weight of my body, 78.3 lbs.
" M. — Mass of the old gentleman's * Wauk-
enphast ' (unknown, but can be averaged by
the method of least squares).
" V. — Velocity of lightning— velocity with
which the impulse was given.
"/. — Coefficient of friction of the stoop ;
and
"R. — Resistance thereof to be calculated
from square foot of sticking plaster, and an
ellipsoidal * bump,* the dimensions of the axis
being 2, i, and J^ inches.
"K. — Principal radius of gyration, same as
that of a spindle.
"I promise to subscribe for another copy of
the Indick. (for hfr) if you succeed in enlight-
ening me on this subject. Yours forever,
"S. O. F."
The Soph, forgot to mention the number of
steps and the size of each, as well as the re-
silience, and the modulus of elasticity of his
skull, besides other minor particulars, such as
the attraction of she as compared with that of
the sidewalk and the shoe, etc., which acted
rather as perturbations than as direct influ-
ences. Still, if anybody wishes to calculate
the problem gratis (we do not wish to insult
by offering our profit as premium), all data
can, no doubt, be procured from " S. O. F."
through our medium.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
n
m
SK<.')aiv/</
fe hardly know where to look for what is of
.1 Interest to us in Taw Nostrami's Maga-
for March. " A new Method of Shaft-
ting through Water Bearing Loose Ma-
als," with its accompanying illiistracions,
K the first few pages. The article describes
apparatus and the method used, also the
gress made while in use. We dare not at-
ipt to say anything about the "Analytical
uiion " of a certain problem on a particular
do( truss; we had that last term.
Engineering Inventions since 1882 " is
I worth reading. It treats of improvements
loecied with civil engineering, bridge work,
1 many others.
he American Engineer of Feb. 27, con-
is drawings and description of the enginr:s
ite S.S. 'Australasian." "The Manufac-
;of Whitworth Steel " is short but interest-
aid instructive. Next weeic's number con-
s a report on the "Strength and Safety of
N, Y. Elevated Railroads," The tests
e carried on by Prof. Thurston, and the
elusion in regard to ultimate destruction of
bridge members, states:
So far as I am aware, and so far as I can
rtain by the careful study of the results
iperiment, both as made by others, in the
:i investigation of this question, and as
f by myself in the endeavor to determine
■ffect of long continued and intermittent
ing, there is no evidence extant, and mth-
0 give the slightest foundation to the be-
that good wrought iron, loaded within the
c limit, will ever yield either to stationary
intermittent unreversed loads, or that crys-
ition can ever take place under such con-
is." All the short articles are interesting,
e new Brazilian war vessel, " Riachuelo,"
inounced the most perfectly constructed
□f war afloat, possessing in regard to
speed and arrangement and fire of her
special advantages not contained in any
ship. She is a twin screw turret vessel
, thousand tons and six thousand horse
■, built of steel ; her length is three hun-
ind five feet, width fifty feet and depth
thirty feet. The armor plates are ten and
eleven inches thick, and the armament cou'
sists of five 9 inch breech loading twenty ton
rifled guns in two revolving turrets, and six 6
inch breech loaders, besides fifteen Nordenfelt
machine guns. In addition, the vessel is pro'
vided with a number of Whitehead torpedoes.
She i.s calculated to make fifteen knots an
hour, running at that speed for over tour
thousand miles without recoaling,
E. P. Roberts, member of the Institute of
Electrical Engineers, has contributed to the
Electrical World of February 18, an article
on Storage Batteries in Commercial Use.
The National Association of Stationary En-
gineers of the United States, is aptly termed
The New Force " in another article. It ably
discusses the value of the Association to the
world at large, " The Steam Engine Indica-
tor and its Use," a continued article, would
be of much value to many of us if carefully
studied.
Mechanics for March gives a treatise on the
Tehuantepec Ship Railway, which is fully il-
lustrated. "New Forms of Friction Brakes,"
also illustrated, treats of four or five of the
newest forms. Various other articles are in-
teresting.
We advise some of the raany amateur tele-
graph operators of Stevens to consult the EleC'
trician and Electrical Engineer. 'The Con-
struction of Lines for Electric Circuits " would
give them some points. It contains the repgrt
on " The Edison System of Underground
Conductors." Drawings fully illustrate the
methods. Electric lighting is treated of in
From the " Longfellow Memorial " number
of the Bowdoin Orient, we learn a great deal
of new and interesting matter about Longfel-
low. It is all well told and instructive.
We have just received from the Scovill
Manuf'g Co, the seventeenth number of their
photo series, entitled " First Lessons in Ama-
teur Photography." Mr. Spaulding, in writing
this work, has used as a basis lectures delivered
by him to his class in the High School, of which
he is principal. While containing much that
will be passed over by the amateur photogra-
pher, this little book contains many details
which are seldom found in such a work, such
as lantern slides, transparencies, etc, The chap-
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
ter on preparing silver paper will be found to
be very instructive and interesting.
The Weekly Courier has one of the largest
circulations of all oar exchanges. The Courier
Company publishes from 8oo to i,ooo copies
peris^ue. It consists mainly of news and must
be interesting to any one who are connected
with the university.
The following and many more are on hand:
Amherst Student, Collegian, Burr, Lafayette,
Michigan Argonaut, Teeh, University Maga-
xine, Yale Record.
THE ECCENTRIC.
We have received the Eccentric for the
present year, and are pleased to note its neat
appearance and very creditable reading matter.
It is in some repeats an improvement on the
production of former years. The illustrations
are more numerous and of greater variety and
excellence, and the same may be said of the
literary portions. Although the humorous
element predominates — and much of it is very
good — there is a number of articles of the op-
posite order. Among these we notice especi-
ally the little poem entitled, " The Three
Roses." Its ideas, figures and language are
beautiful and finished. The article, "A Few
Words From the Alumni," is a very sensible
and encouraging one, although it fully points
out the respects in which a student must
necessarily be defective when starting out,
however careful his college preparation, and
the work which must be done by him before
securing a permanent foothold in the pro-
fession. The lighter contributions are, as be-
fore remarked, of very fair quality and the
general character of the magazine is very cre-
ditable. There is, however, one portion open
to criticism. We allude to those articles
whose humor is at the expense of our profes-
sors, and which is in some cases rather too
severe. Students are generally apt to be
thoughtless in this regard, and fail to see
the wounds which their willicisms may inflict.
Although these remarks are made at this place,
we wish (hem to be perfectly general, applying
to ourselves, if deserving of ii, as well as to
others; and we make them rather m a sugges-
tive than a censorious spirit, for we think that
the error committed is one of thoughtlessness
rather than of lack of feeling, and whose pre-
vention needs but a suggestion.
" Can't we make your lover jealous, miss?" 1
" Oh, yes, sir, I think we can, if we put our
heads together. .
"That's very singular, sir," said a youu
lady when we kissed her. " Ah, well, we^
soon make it plural."
An exchange tells us that its soul is harrow-
ed. The labor is thrown away. The soii ia
not worth cultivating.
"Is it possible. Miss, that you don't know
the names of some of your best friends?"
"Certainly. I don't even know what my own
may be a year from now." — Ex.
" Landlord, you do me too much honor; you
let me sleep among the Big Bugs last night."*
" Oh, don't be too modest, my dear lodger, li"
doubt not they have your own blood in their
veins." '
Persons who visit our sanctum will greatly
oblige us by leaving everything just as they
find it. — Michigan Journal. Wouldn't you
like that they should give you a little valuable
information, and so leave you wiser than they
find jou ? — Ex.
A young lady on Monroe Street refused to
allow her sister to borrow the former's beau,
as an escort to a party, saying, " It is not good
that man should be a loan." She had not
been a member of the Bible class for nothing.
— Chicago Tribune.
The Professor of Systematic Divinity at
Seminary, being indisposed, was not
able to be with his classes. A notice to that
effect was given to the men after morning
"chapel." Whether the professor, who gave
the notice, belonged to the " newer school, "or
merely to the orthodox school of the Sydney
Smith type, is not known. His words were
these : ' The professor, being ill, requests me
to say that the seniors can keep on through
Purgatory, and the middle class continue the
Descent into Hell, until further notice from the
p rof essors. ' " — Ex
/ol. 2. ^ J^Jt^e, 1885. ^ r2o. 6.
QomEmg.
Jonnct, , . Will H, Wall. . Si
e-nA ariS. Jfcr iJacuft^, .... Prof. R. II. TnURSTON. Si
Meo^anicaf Sngineer (■oerfieS), ......... S.j
S4
3a.nc^ I ,S =
3ci.itft-PeiSA teo>ser> Qgou*s {•ser&efi), .... Sf:
O u m^©4 CJ nrci'aeffecj, . . . . ■ ^ /
©figin of J^aifroa<J* in S^u**ia, .... .St
A rieco gijiStem of gteamSfiip propufsion, . S(
Ari ^n^5entior^ !,,.,... ... <jc
CJrep-S). ©ugRf to ^o, ....... l,C
rio.t'^j ............ .1
. W. €;fee (Sfu6, . , .,.
if, 0:
reaf SSirgje, ... , ..,:
rien.cemenC ©y/eeiC, .... ,,.,
sticS, ......... ■.'■
ino.-'"^! ............ '-1;
r:a^- i«o^. ....
ii.o?r, 10.:
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
THE
Stevens Institute of Technology,
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING,
FOUNDED BY THE LATE EDWIN A, STEVENS,
AT
HOBOKEN, N. J.
HENRY MORTON, Ph. D., President
ALFRED M. MAYER, Ph. D., Prof. Physics
ROBERT H. THURSTON, A. M., C. E Prof. Mech. Encfineering
DE VOLSON WOOD, C, E., Prof. Math, and Mechanics
C. W. McCORD, A. M., Prof. Mech. Drawing
ALBERT R. LEEDS, Ph. D., ........ Prof. Chemistry
CHARLES F. KROEH, A. M Prof. Languages
REV. EDWARD WALL, A. M., Prof. Belles-lettres
J. E. DENTON, M. E., . . . Prof, of Experimental Mechanics and Shopwork
A. RIESENBEkGER, M. E., ...... Instructor in Mech. Drawing
C. A. CARR, Ass't Eng'r U. S. N., . Prof, of Marine Engineering and Instructor in Mathematics
W. E. GEYER. Ph. D., Prof, of Applied Electricity
The course of the Stevens Institute is of four years duration, and covers all that appertains to the profession
of a Mechanical Engineer. By means of workshops provided with excellent machinery, Physical Laboratories whose
appointments are without an equal, and with the finest Cabinets of Instruments, every opportunity for the acquisition
of thorough and practical knowledge is afforded. For further particulars address the President,
H. MORTON, Hoboken, N. J.
STEVENS HIGH SCHOOL.
THE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT
OF THE
STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,
RIVER STREET, bet. 5th and 6th, HOBOKEN, K J.,
OPENS SEPTEMBER d6, 1885.
Examinationa for Admission on the 14th and 15th of September.
• ♦ ■»
FULL COURSES OF STUDY, PREPARATORY TO SCHOOLS OF SCIENCE AND COLLEGES.
-» ♦ »
JUNIOR DEPARTMENT, .... $76.00 PER ANNUM.
SENIOR DEPARTMENT, .... $|60.00 PER ANNUM.
TKeee tonus in.olu.de all tlie studies.
*^ » *
For Catalogues apply to the Librarian of Stevens Institute.
THE
jQfleve^s jRdi(ial©F.
Vol. 2.
HOBOKEN, N. J., JUNE, 1885.
No. 6.
A SONNET.
[after DANTE ROSSETTI.]
IT I were loved as I would be.
And as I love I would be loved —
And by thai sieasure be it proved —
If I were thus beloved by thee^
Then nothing couM vemain for me
Beside, to hope for or desire ;
To no more doth my heart assure :
For, with full passion, ardently,
And with an all consuming fire,
I do love thee most utterly ;
And, for my perfect happiness,
I pray thee tell me truthfully,
Is it thus thou lovest me?
Oh, my beloved, answer '* Yes !"
Will H. Wall.
STEVENS AND HER FACULTY.
The tenth anniversary of the graduation of
e first class taking a full course at " Stevens,"
e " Graduation Day " of the class of '85, is a
ting occasion for a glance back upon the past
story of the Institute, for congratulation and
odly greeting of its Alumni, and for a word
to the present conditon and the future of
e €x>llege.
Fourteen years ago, the princely liberality,
id the intelligent public spirit of the late Ed-
In A. Stevens, supplemented by the action
; a Board of Trustees and the then newly
)pointed President, who saw the great need
I the United States, of such an institution,
id who had the wisdom and independence
rquisite to the carrying out of such a plan,
scared for the State of New Jersey, and in-
dentally for other States, as well, this much
seded School of Mechanical Engineering.
s organization, despite the financial strength
rovided by the testator, was effected in the
cc of many and serious difficulties. Such
I institution as was proposed had never he-
re been organized, and, in many respects, the
Seers intrusted with its creation were entirely
a loss for precedents. As must necessarily
the case in all such pioneer work, it was
ly possible to prepare a provisional plan,
iving its final development to be determined
by time and experience, guided by the opinion
and advice of membersof the profession whose
standing, experience and judgment, and whose
interest in so great a public benefaction, should
enable them to assist effectively in giving it a
shape that would insure the highest efficiency.
Under such auspices it has had a growth
which, although never as rapid or as satisfac-
tory as its friends might desire, has been con-
tinuous and uninterrupted.
As such a course of instruction had never
been before attempted in precisely this form,
and of such extent, the work began, as just re-
marked, under peculiar disadvantages. No
text books had ever been written embodying
the theory of American practice in this de-
partment of engineering; just what should be
considered essential to such a course was a
matter still to be settled; what should be adopted
as the initial and what the final steps in a course
of indefinite limits, and of life-long extent;
these, and many other questions, came up for
consideration, and could only be settled defi-
nitely, after some experience had been had
in actual work. It was evident enough that
a beginning must be made with the "ABC"
of this hopelessly long alphabet; but it was
not so easy to decide just how many letters
could be safely attempted in a four years* task.
Old engineers, however, holding the highest
places in the profession, examined the scheme
as finally laid out, approved it, and expressed
unbounded satisfaction at seeing a probability
that, at last, the young men of the country
were to be offered opportunities that they had
so greatly needed, in their younger days, but
which were then absolutely unattainable.
Not the least of the difficulties then, as since,
impeding the prosecution of the work in the
form originally intended, was the insufficiency
of the funds at command for a work having
far greater scope, and demanding greater ex-
penditure than was at first contemplated. The
erection of the building and the purchase of
indispensable apparatus at unavoidably great
expense, and especially the demand of the
U. S. Government for a " Succession Tax "
under the provisions of war legislation then
still in force, crippled the young school very
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
seriously. In some departments, it was found
impossible to obtain much needed illustrative
apparatus, and almost nothing could be done
toward the oiganization of the workshop, not-
withstanding the fact that it was considered an
essential feature of such a school.
So formidable were these difliculties that it
was at one time seriously proposed to defer
the opening of the schoo!, until, by accumula-
tion of income, the permanent fund could be
increased to at least the amount originally in
the mind of the testator. It was finally con-
cluded, however, to go on, and the school was
opened.
era! departments, has given us the long needed
workshop, and has established a hardly Its
useful department of electrical engineenng.
Every member of the faculty has similarly ap-
plied more or less of his income to supply Ibt
necessities of the school, and each one hu
done what he could to bring up his depart-
ment to as high a state of efficiency as possi-
ble, purchasing apparatus and employing as-
sistants, when needed, as best he could, when-
ever the funds of the treasury were insufficient
for the purpose.
The work of the Institute has thus bees
carried on in, on the whole, a very satisfictory
Four years later, the first regular class was
graduated, a few students having, in the mean-
time, come in from other institutions at ad-
vanced points in the course, and taken diplo-
mas in the two preceding years. Ten years
have passed since that first class left the Insti-
tute, and we are now able to look back upon a
period of most gratifying progress. Finan-
cially, less has been accomplished toward giv-
ing the college a safe and sound basis than had
been hoped; but the liberality of the presi-
dent, who has turned into the Institute a large
proportion of his receipts from its treasury, m
the form of innumerable donations to its sev-
and the course has been graduaJ'J
and steadily brought more thoroughly i')'*'
accord with the original plan, at first so i'^T
completely carried out. Several of the Aluni"'
are now approaching an age, and a stalus*
financially, that enables them to look forward
confidently to a time when they, too, will be
able to be of substantial assistance, and more
than one is contemplating the propriety of
giving such aid by founding scholarships oi
otherwise. The Association of the Alumni
has already made an encouraging beginning
in this direction, and is hoping to do much
more in the future. The college needs, and
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
83
ofitably apply, much larger sums than
r likely to come in these several ways,
n only be expected to attain, to the
at high position and that maximum
ess which its founders have aimed at,
ome wealthy and liberal person can be
0 worthily succeed the first and great-
er benefactors, and to build a proper
nicture upon the foundation which has
jen so deeply and substantially laid,
stone now added will make a visible
tt to a structure, the lower courses of
ire unobtrusive in proportion as they
1 and stable. Until such a friend can
d, the limit, in the direction of the in-
n number of young men who can be at
time benefited by this institution, must
idered as having been already practi-
ached.
course of instruction has been, during
t period of growth and development,
ly changing, to meet the continually
ng demands of the time and to bring
into accord with the views of the fac-
i of the profession, a steadily improv-
em of preparation permitting the con-
levation of the standard for admission
r extension of the curriculum. This
n of progress, it may be confidently
ted, is one in which continual advance
expected. The professional schools,
leering, as well as in law and in medi-
theology, are properly post graduate
ons, and every man who can afford
d means will seek to obtain a general,
1, education, before entering the pro-
1 course. This is becoming, each year,
mmon, and the result may be expected,
to be that all purely preparatory stud-
be pursued in the extra professional
and the school of engineering may
vote all available time to the purely
9nal work. The rapidly progressing
in plan which is leading to a distinc-
ween the " manual training school "
** school of engineering," in all civil-
Lintries, must unquestionably lead to
ture changes, the nature and extent of
annot yet be fully anticipated. Prob-
may lead, in the majority of such
to a division at some point in the
the one set of students going mainly
shops, the other remaining a longer
he lecture rooms and laboratories. The
of men may probably pursue a shorter;
nd, a longer course. The matter is one
ill demand thoughtful consideration.
It is in the direction of the development of
the useful influence of the Institute beyond
its own walls that its officers and faculty, as
well as the Alumni themselves, to whom such
influence is mainly due, have most reason to
feel peculiar interest and pride. In the short
life of the college, and despite the small num-
ber of its representatives, its influence is felt
in every branch of professional work. Several
of our graduates have been intrusted with the
organization and direction of similar schools,
or departments, of engineering in other col-
leges, and a number of others are likely soon
to accept similar positions, and. it cannot be
doubted that the future of the profession in
this country is to be determined, to a very
important degree, by the character of the*
men who have been sent out by " Stevens."
A number of the Alumni of the Institute are
connected with the technical press, and are
there likely to make their influence, and that
of their college, felt, in the advancement of
every branch of their chosen profession. More
than one is at the head of a great industrial
organization, putting in practice the princi-
ples taught, and applying the knowledge ob-
tained, at "Stevens." Others are revolution-
izing the methods of operation of the motive
power, ahd other departments of important
railroads, by systematically conducting inves-
tigations of the properties of the materials sup-
plied to them and used in all branches of rail-
road work. Two have the honor of occupying
the highest positions that can be given the me-
chanical engineer, as such, in the whole range
of railroad work — positions of enormous re-
sponsibility and importance. One Stevens man
is developing in the northern sugar districts of
South America; another is organizing electric
lighting establishments in Europe, and several
are perfecting themselves in special lines of
work, at foreign universities, and are soon to
return prepared to praise their Alma Mater,
by their deeds, in many other lines of useful
labor. Graduates of " Stevens " have already
won high honor by conducting investigations
of great interest and value to the profession,
and it would be difficult to name a direction
of recent advance in applied science in
which some ** Institute man " had not taken
part.
In all this, we have a common interest, ^and
feel a common pride. But we feel a double
interest, and take a double pride, in it as an
evidence of a simple beginning of the great
harvest that we hope to see reaped by the In-
stitute in later years, when age, experience.
84
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
and opportunity shall have vastly extended
every avenue for good. So much having been
accomplished in ten short years of beginning^,
what may not be hoped for, when maturity in
age, established influence, and the aid of sev-
eral times this already long list of noble repre-
sentativeSy shall have brought in the reward of
many years of earnest work ? But increasing
power and influence bring increasing respon-
sibilities, and those upon whom those respon-
sibilities fall may well feel some anxiety lest
they fail to perform their part of the work
aright It is here that the Alumni and the offi-
cers of the Institute have common duties.
The one has the labor and the apparent respon-
sibility ; but the others none the less are bound,
by every tie that binds them to Alma Mater, to
lend a helping hand, assisting by their coun-
tenance, and by their advice, in every way in
which their experience and judgment may
give them the power, in the work thrown upon
Uie faculty, m the development of better
methods, and the construction of a more val-
uable course.
The exceptionally pleasant relations which
have always existed between the faculty and
the Alumni make this an easier task for the
latter, and enables the former to ask such as-
sistance without hesitation. It is to tliis
kindly aid, this frank and free conferring of
graduate with professor, that we already owe
much of our success ; and it is evident that
the immediate future is likely to see such as-
sistance given with no less free and kindly
disposition. The members of the faculty
watch the outgoing friends and pupils, as each
class breaks up and departs, with an interest
which may not be easily realized by those who
are about to leave us, but which is real and
earnest, and which grows rather than dimin-
ishes with time. That this interest can be
always, or perhaps ever, fully reciprocated,
is probably not to be expected ; but we have
daily evidence that the mor^ earnest and
thoughtful, and the majority, indeed, of our
pupils do remember, with the kindliest of
feelings, the institution to which they owe
their special advantages, and the instructors
who have always honestly and heartily, if not
invariably with as great success as either they
or their pupils could have desired, labored to
make the most of those advantages. It is a
great encouragement to all friends of the
school to see the graduates of Stevens coming
back, in larger and larger numbers, at each
annual recurrence of "Commencement," to
greet their old instructors, to see the growth
of the Institute, to aid the faculty
council, and to cheer them by their :
of such good work as has been dont
the year. The Alumni have alr^ac
much to assist the officers of the I
and it is hoped by every friend of " S
that they will hereafter do much mon
mote her best interests, by freely t
advice and commendation, where c
and in time, when possible, by still m
stantial aid. Meantime, we are makin
progress.
R. H. Thui
«^ »»
THE MECHANICAL ENGINE!
A frolicsome life, without care, without s
The American students lead :
Though the purse be slim, and the gover
Still never they stand in need.
With every one's trust they go on a *' bu
I fancy the matter clear —
That too is the *' go '* with the fine embr
Mechanical Engineer.
The hammer he swings till the anvil ring
And swings his girl in the dance ;
The iron he rolls and casts it in moulds,
And oft casts an amorous glance.
With wonderful zeal he tests any steel.
And tests the love of his dear —
Yes ; such is the ** go *' with the fine emb
Mechanical Engineer.
He breaks every rule, and breaks every t*
And oft his promise breaks ;
He breaks many hearts, whenever he dap:
And his tender friends forsakes.
He turns every brass, and the mind of ea
I fancy the matter clear —
Yes ; such is the ** go " with the fine emb
Mechanical Engineer.
*^»>
SHAW.
The Sophomores have just finish^
course in literature, and have laid thei
upon the shelves, perhaps, forever ; bi
ing so they must have pondered a littl
advantages and disadvantages of the s
The former are certainly numerou
one will question the necessity of th«
to a good education, nor the great b«
be derived from a study of the intellig<
cism on the various kinds of writings a
authors.
The mode of treating them, howeve
gard to the attention bestowed upc
and the lack of it on others, is open t
tions, as is also the study of the su
presented in our text book.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
85
sing the book one cannot help notic-
fnerosity of the author toward Eng-
Ls compared with their American
It brings back very forcibly to the
he reader, the old English saying :
e only Americans ; they have no lit-
and, as if to give credence to these
i author proceeds to devote two and
;es to the unintelligible poetry of the
id visionary Shelley, while to Edgar
poet of a somewhat similar nature,
lalf a page.
Poe was morally, Shelley was at an
stance below him. Poe was an en-
to himself ; Shelley, to the whole
.ce ; he aimed his most powerful
religion, marriage and the govern-
spent his whole life in throwing his
ctives at the objects of his hatred,
alind " and " Helen," " The Witch
and "Hellas" so far above "The
The Bells" and "Annabell Lee"?
I any number of minor poets to
given half a page, while Joseph
Drake, author of "The Culprit
I "The American Flag," is dis-
th five lines. It may be that these
its have contributed to the growth
re more than Drake, because they
to live at a time when good
ere particularly scarce ; but that
detract from the merits of the
jetry, and those who have read it,
y " The Culprit Fay," will certainly
merit. But we will leave the poets
I peep at the department of history.
LUthor spreads himself for the length
ind a half, on a " History of Civiliza-
gland," by Henry T. Buckle, and yet
f the work that "its arguments are
[equate ; its statements inaccurate."
rve his generosity toward the Amer-
takes our three greatest historians,
Bancroft, and Motley, and divides a
lly between them. I can notice but
case, though I think many more
'ound — this one, from the similarity
le to two of our own great men, at-
j attention. John Webster was one
t original Shakespearian dramatists
md order, and the author does right
him half a page, but is his patient,
lesake Noah, of this country, of so
rtance to literature that he can only
to mention his name ?
ne thing is done with Audubon,
[lichard Grant White, and many
others. Indeed, if we are to judge the author
by his book, we would say that he is " quite
English."
There has not been too much attention paid
to the English writers, but there has been too
much slighting the American. It is natural
for us to want to know something of our own
literature, and if we have but little, then by
all means let us know that little well. A citi-
zen of this country ignorant of its writers is
like a traveller from the New England States
going abroad in search of scenery, before hav-
ing visited Niagara or viewed the wonderful
beauties of the Yosemite.
We have said so much about the unjust
treatment of our writers, in not giving them
more space, that we may seem inconsistent
when we now say that there are already too
many names discussed in the book ; yet such
in our opinion is the case.
The attempts made to learn about so many
authors is very dissipating to the minds of
students. When they come for examination,
they have a confused idea that this man wrote
novels and that man histories. They get
John Jones' life mixed up with a half of Tom
Brown's and some of Henry Smith's ; or, if
they get through all right, they go about con-
gratulating themselves because it is not neces-
sary to remember it any longer, and they
immediately proceed to forget all about it.
Now, would it not be better to take one or
two men as representatives of a particular
time or style, discuss their characters and
their writings more fully than at present, and
if possible read selections from their best
works ? This would create a taste for more
extended reading, and if the student had any
love whatever for literature, the other writers
would be taken up in due time and be read
with pleasure in proportion to their worth.
« ^ » »
OH, FANCY I
Oh, fancy a petition granted !
Oh, fancy a Freshman with a silk hat !
Oh, fancy a fly wheel with wings !
Oh, fancy a diminution in the number of
books " needed " at Stevens, with a coetaneous
depreciation of prices in the paper market !
Oh, fancy cutting yourself with the knife
edge of the balances used in the weighing
room!
Oh, fancy our alumni offering to furnish a
gymnasium for our poor, enervated, over-
worked students !
86
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
Oh, fancy our poor, enervated, overworked
students !
Oh, fancy a graduating thesis which was
not intended to revolutionize the whole me-
chanical world !
Oh, fancy a crank with brains !
Oh, fancy one sewing on a button with the
thread of a screw !
Oh, fancy a law cixnpelling the employment
of unadulterated, genuine aqua distUkUa in
chemical laboratories !
Oh, fancy a Sophomore cordially shaking
hands with Mr. Shaw !
Oh, fancy the loyalty of an engine making
300 revolutions per mmute !
Oh, fancy a student's lamp relating how
many lessons it has illumed !
Oh, fancy a dentist for the teeth of a gear
wheel!
Oh, fancy a lid to the stuffing box !
Oh, fancy a fellow '' making up " his condi-
tions promptly !
Oh, fancy somebody going up into the
" look out " on the roof of the Institute !
Oh, fancy an alumnus wearing a college pin!
Oh, fancy the gun that was fired at the
undershot water wheel !
Oh, fancy a *' Raystowron'g " for the men
employed in the laboratory in centra terrae!
Oh, fancy the editor of a wrought iron jour-
nal with bearings of brass !
Oh, fancy a grand Hoboken bachelor's ho-
tel, alias student's boarding house, in connec-
tion with the College, the superviJiV?^ thereof
being in the hands of the boys themselves !
Oh, fancy the stop cocks that crow with the
break of day !
Oh, fancy a prep, trespassing while a Fresh-
man is in sight !
Oh, fancy the Institute clock keeping cor-
rect time !
Oh, fancy the electric gongs striking at the
end of every hour !
Oh, fancy any one whose T-square has not
been sto-wed away somewhere !
Oh, fancy a consumptive steam-chest !
Oh, fancy coeducation at Stevens !
Oh, fancy the hair on top of a cross-head !
Oh, fancy the sun rising when a Junior gets
up, and fancy the sun setting when a Sopho-
more goes to bed !
Oh, fancy the " copper " to arrest the gang
(ue) of an ore !
Oh, fancy a Stevens man taking the trouble to
sharpen the workshop tools before using them!
Oh, fancy the razor with which the steam
is cut off !
Oh, fancy the button holes in the
jacket !
Oh, fancy a graduate being asked a
in political economy !
Oh, fancy a Senior who has not at
positive engagement!
Oh, fancy the doctor that killed
points!
Oh, fancy a fall of prices in the
producing any effect on the amoi
student's workshop or laboratory exp
Oh, fancy the kernel of a screw nu
Oh, fancy Freshmen walking quietl]
the halls without ''music," while
class is attending to a recitation or a
Oh, fancy that there is no " first," "
" third " or " fourth " class at Steven;
of " Senior," " Junior," etc. !
Oh, fancy the seed out of which \
plant grows !
Oh, fancy the boss politician of tl
faction of steam !
Oh, fancy a Stevens library, the
which may be taken home by the stu
Oh. fancy an enterprising man o
setting up a lunch counter on the cai
Oh, fancy the light shed by a wood
Oh, fancy a catalogue for our libra
< # » »
THE FAITHLESS LOVER'S EX
{From the German of Em. Pokl.)
Am I to blame^ for having won her he
When singing to the lute's sweet to
Am I to blame^ if she felt Cupid's dar
Because my eyes too kindly shone ?
Am I to blame, because ray features' 1
Expressed that but for her I sighed
And falsely spoke what never I did sa
Am I to blame t
And when in sweet, calm moonlit hou
Her head against my bosom leaned
Am I to blarney if a resistless power
Urged me, until a kiss I gleaned ?
Her silence, while encircled by my ar
How could I guess its riddle then ?
The nightingale had sung with sweetc
Am I to blame?
Am I to blame ^ because those hours* g
You guileless child ! burns in your
still ?
Am I to blame^ if I forgot that long a|
Like fairy stories told a child wher
And if another now my fancy fills
And charms me into anient love
While kissing her midst nightingales'
Am J to blame ?
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
87
HER REPLY.
Am I to bltime^ because my trembling heart
Knows but of love and failh as one,
And does not dream of faithless doubt.
Where true loves dwell in unison ?
Am I to blame ^ if he. who is my only choice.
Retains my love for all eternity ?
And if I die when lost to me his voice,
Am I to blame ?
THE RUMSEY UNRAVELLED.
The James Rumsey was built in the year K,
and is a slight modification of the ark. Dur-
ing the war of 18 1 2 it was used as a cattle
boat, but before the close of the war the cattle
raised a big howl because the boat was too
rickety, and they said that if the old scow wasn't
taken off the route they'd kick somebody all
full of big holes and little dents, and as none
of the company were desirous of transmitting
daylight, the boat was taken off the cattle
route and used as a conveyance for the human
tribe.
It now plies between Barclay Street, New
York, and Hoboken; and be it known to all,
that certain of the students of Stevens ride in
it daily at the imminent peril of their lives; but
it can't be helped, you know. It's all in the
great cause of science. We're so used to it
now though, that we'd feel rather lonesome
without the excitement. We have names for
the different trips, such as " the Monday morn-
ing hair breadth," " the Tuesday evening hair
raiser," ** the Friday night gore stiffener," etc.
And if you ever want a daisy hairbreadth es-
cape with a whole brown stone front to it, just
come down to the Barclay Street Ferry, pay
three cents, and take the James Rumsey.
Well, if you don't have just sixty-seven dollars*
worth of fun for that three cents, then, we'll
set 'em up " all around.
Just let's give you a specimen. Take last
Thursday morning. We made a " hair raiser "
trip that time. The " gore stiffeners " are be-
yond description. You'll have to try one
yourself. Well! Here's the "hair raiser."
The first thing to do was to run down Bar-
clay Street like a ton of coal for about two
blocks, and knock all the dinner cans out of
the hands of the Hobokenites who were
emerging from the boat, and if a man was
n^et who had no dinner can, why then the
wind was knocked out of him instead. It all
^swers the same purpose, you know. It makes
things just as interesting whichever way it is.
Then we arrived at the ticket box and found
one or two bow legged Jersey men trying to
scrape up intellect enough to find out whether
they ought to buy a ferry ticket or bum around
the ferry house the rest of the day, but taking
particular pains to block up the whole place in
the meantime.
Then after a desperate effort, we got through
and managed to slide through the gate as it was
being closed. They make it a principle on this
line to close the gate as soon as possible, and then
loaf around the slip while the captain plays
pedro for the beer or composes choruses on the
steam whistle. They don't consider it the
proper caper to allow any one to get on board
unless he lays around the gate about half a
day for a show. Well, we got aboard, and had
to wait the regulation time for the captain to
get ready to go out. After a while the chains be-
gan to make noise enough for a young cyclone,
and directly we began to sneak out of the
slip. We hadn't been sneaking very long be-
fore the captain began to kick up a horrible
rumpus in the pilot house. Pretty soon he
bawled down to the engineer, to find out
whether the old tub had been started or not.
He said he'd forgotten whether he'd started
her up or not, and the engineer said " he
didn't know narthin' about it," so they had to
send a deck hand to the side of the boat with
a big pole to stick in the mud, to see if the boat
was moving. It was found that it was, so the
captain said " he guessed he'd better go up
and steer a little, just to keep the wheel in
working order in case it should be needed."
We crawled along for about twenty minutes
then without any disturbance, when all of a
sudden the captain got up a regular riot in the
pilot house again, and then he and the engi-
neer had a nice little duet. "Great Heavings!"
shouted the captain, "we're lost. We're all gone
entirely. Here comes a lager beer cask bearing
right down on us. Quick there, reverse the en-
gines! Cut away the walking beam! Man the
life preservers. Hey there ! By heavings!"
" What yu doin' up thar, any way ?" drowsily
replied the engineer, as he emerged from the
gents' cabin. " Did you say beer ?"
" Holy tripe ! now we're wrecked sure,"
bawled the captain. " I thought you had
them engines reversed. You're a healthy
engineer, you are. You knock-kneed old Fiji."
Stop gettin' pusonal, cap, or I'll break
your back. Ain't I goin' to see 'bout them
engin's right away ? I guess they're reversed
any way."
" Well, why didn't you say so ? There goes
the cask past the stern now. Turn the engin's
round again, and s'pose you sit in the en gin'
room for a change."
L
88
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
" All right, cap/' answered the engineer, as he
hitched up his overalls and returned to the
engine room ; but he hadn't been there more
than five minutes before the old hulk began to
jump around like a billy goat.
"Give us a rest on that now," yelled the
captain. " I'm fick of you foolin'."
Shut up, cap," said the engineer. " I'm
only seeing how many times I can reverse the
engine in a minute. It's monotonous down
here; and can't you let a feller do a little
sumthin' once in a while ?"
" No ; I can't. Now, you've got to stop
your dam fooling, any way, or I'll tell Oh,
great heavings ! The whole boat is a goner.
There comes part of the Freshman navy, and
they've been layin' to sink us for a long while.
Quick, around about, harraye there! Cut loose
the keel. Hurry up, then kick a hole in the
boiler. Hurry up, then, you flat footed Malay.
Shove every passenger overboard. It's the
only thing to save us. Take a reef in the
smoke stack, and a whole gang of reefs in the
cook stove. Do yer hear me ? Then, quick
now, cut away the rudder and the left paddle
wheel. The boat must be saved."
But before these orders could be executed it
was discovered that it was not the Freshman
navy after all, so we proceeded on our voyage.
It wasn't very long before the captain's hat
blew off, and the tug was put about and tied
to a shad pole, while the boat was lowered for
the hat. After this was obtained, we once
more proceeded, but very cautiously, being
very careful not to get any of the swash from
a tug boat, as it would have swamped us sure.
The engineer's vest got caught in the machin-
ery at one time, and the whole concern had to
stop and get that out, then we had to wait for
several boats that were entering the Narrows,
and at one time we came within an ace of run-
ning into a floating log, and if we had struck
it, we would have gone to the muddy terra
fir ma very shortly, because the cohesion be-
tween the different portions of the Rumsey is
not as great as it might be, and the force of
such a shock would undoubtedly have de-
stroyed the cohesive force entirely and the
Rumsey would therefore have fallen apart. It
was on this account that the cask was so much
feared. We entered the slip after the usual
club footed fashion, and proceeded on our
way to the Institute, where we met new trou-
bles, and if you ever try a Rumsey trip, you
will find quite enough trouble in that to satis-
fy you. Even the employees of the Rumsey
are wont to sing, when a trip is finished, this
charming little hymn :
Safely through another trip
Has been spared this aged scow
Safely now within the slip
Calm and peaceful rests it now.
8va.
Dodlc E Doob D Dirt D
!
and we believe that they have reas<
so. T.
«^» »
THE ORIGIN OF RAILROADS IN I
When the Baltimore & Ohio Raili
first opened, in 1830, from Baltimore
cott's mills, the cars were drawn by h<
mules. Locomotives had not yet c(
use. Mr. Thomas, a gentleman of B
constructed at this time a sailing ca
ran successfully up and down the
propelled by the wind. The " Eoluj^
car was named, was often called upor
on scientific excursions many passt
^distinction. The Baron Krudener,
* Envoy to the United States, on one
made the trip, trimming the sails him
on the return he expressed himself ;
delighted with the behavior of the n(
yacht. Mr. Philip E. Thomas, pre
the road, hearing of the intense pi
had given the baron, concluded to n
a present of one of the same design,
structed another, therefore, and had
with the friction wheels invented by ]
ans. of Baltimore. This he presente
Russian envoy, and accompanied it
several reports that had been publish
company, to be sent to the Emperor c
In answer to this high compliment, th
wrote : " The nature and importanc
great undertaking to which you have
your exertions cannot fail of givinj
degree of interest to the documents n
its origin and progress ; and I do n(
that his majesty will find them, as well .
geniously improved principle on whic
is constructed, deserving of serious at
After a short period had elapsed,
was received, introducing a deput
scientific men from Russia, who h
appointed by the Emperor to visit th
States. Without delay, these g<
entered upon a minute examination o:
division of the Baltimore & Ohio 1
and all the machinery used upon it.
return to St. Petersburg, the deputat
municated such valuable information
accurate, relative to the construct
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
89
management of the railroad inspected by them,
that the Emperor extended an invitation to
Mr. Ross Winans, of Baltimore, to superintend
in Russia the construction of machinery for
the extensive railroads then contemplated.
Mr. Winans accepted the invitation, and, in
the words of a well informed writer, " There
is no doubt that the early introduction of rail-
roads into Russia originated in the disclosures
made to his court at this time by the Baron de
Krudener."
It would be interesting here to give in
part some of the remarks made by Mr. Thom-
as, president of the Baltimore & Ohio, con-
cerning the effects which the railroad system
vould produce. In connection with the ex-
tension of the railroads in Russia, as well as in
fhe United States, he said : " Should our
present anticipations of the efficiency of rail-
roads be realized, a total change will be brought
about in commercial and social intercourse in
every country where these roads may be in-
troduced ; that experiments already made had
demonstrated them to be capable of affording
to an extensive continent the facilities of inter-
communication now incident to a small island ;
aad that the discovery promises greater ad-
vantages to Russia and to the United States
tI13.11 to any other countries." The sound
judgment of Mr. Thomas is here displayed,
^01- there is no more striking instance in the
''^orld of the debt owed by civilization to the
railroad than the rapid growth and progress of
oiirown country. As to Russia, the extreme
complacency with which she regards Eng-
larxd's frantic efforts to avert a war upon the
^■>c3ian border, shows the confidence which she
f^^-s in the utility of her own railroad system,
*^^c3 the power afforded thereby.
Wr. Thomas further observed that, "should
\He Emperor introduce railroads into Russia,
^ 'Would not be many years before a railroad
^'ould be constructed between the Baltic and
^Vie Black Sea, and that such a road would
enable Russia to encircle in her arms, not only
the entire northern, but also the eastern fron-
tier of Europe, and thus to greatly extend her
power and influence." The foresight of Mr.
Thomas was here again conspicuously mani-
fested, for the year 1853 witnessed the com-
pletion of a large portion of the great railroads
that are so rapidly stretching over the Russian
continent. The railroad between St. Peters-
burg and Moscow was opened in 1852, and
its continuation to Odessa, on the Black Sea,
was soon in process of completion. It is for
the present generation to witness a new era in
Russian history, in commerce and industry, as
well as in politics and war, brought on and
maintained, in a great measure, by the sole in-
fluence of the powerful railroad system.
Albitan.
* ♦ » >
A NEW SYSTEM OF STEAMSHIP
PROPULSION.
The invention consists of an improved form
and construction of hull, in which provision
is made for a novel location and operation of
screw propellers in cavities or recesses on both
sides of the vessel, thus securing more effect-
ual and certain access of water to the propel-
ling apparatus.
'*-'>.
7.r2
In Fig. I are shown the relative positions of
the two propellers with regard to the longitu-
dinal line of the ship; in Fig. 2 the dip of
the propeller shaft is shown, and these angles
of divergence on which the propeller shafts
are operated and the location of the propellers
in the recesses are the main features of the in-
vention.
These cavities are located about one fifth
of the length of the vessel aft of the bow, and
are formed of curved surfaces so proportioned
and arranged, with regard to the divergent en-
gine shafts and propellers, as to guide by the
forward curves the incoming water directly to
the most effective line of propulsion. The
after curves direct the disengaged water in the
diverging lines of the shafts, thereby relieving
the pressure at the bow, and at the same time
producing an outward reaction from the stem
toward the midship, thus greatly reducing the
skin friction of the vessel. Experimental tests
indicate that this reaction is about 20 per cent.
The effect of this combination of propellers
with such cavities is to produce a downward,
rearward, and outward reaction. The oblique
thrust across the longitudinal line of the vessel
is similar to ^at made by a fish in swimming.
90
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
A left screw is used in the starboard and a right
screw in the port recess.
The invention also does away with the long
and cumbrous shaft of the ordinary steamship,
and the propellers being always under water,
there can be no racing of these, as is the case
when they are placed in the stem.
It is also valuable as a means of steering in
case the rudder should break, as well as greatly
increasing the facility of manceuvring the ship.
A yacht is now in process of construction
which is to be thus propelled, and a thorough
test of the merits of the invention will accord-
ingly be made. Her dimensions are as follows:
Feet. Inches.
Length over all 60
Moulded beam 9
Draft on even keel 3 8
Displacement 20 tons.
The angle of divergence corresponding to
a, Fig. I, is IS**.
The angle of divergence corresponding to
b^ Fig. 2, is 10*^.
The propellers, three bladed, are of 29J
inches diameter, having an entering pitch of
3 feet and a leaving pitch of 4 feet, each to be
driven by a rotary engine attached directly to
the shaft.
These engines are to develop 115 horse
power apiece, and to be operated entirely in-
dependent of each other. Steam is to be fur-
nished by a " Ward " boiler at 150 pounds pres-
sure, the boiler having previously been subject-
ed to a hydrostatic pressure of 300 pounds.
The plan of the above vessel may be seen at
the office of the inventor, Z. Zoram, M. D.,
18 Broadway (Welles Building), New York.
The invention has been patented in all Europe,
Asia, Australia, United States and Canada.
« ^ » *
THE PREPS. OUGHT TO GO I
It happens, in the course of events, that
the I. P. Co. must shift its quarters. The ever
advancing prep, has at last come over us, and
we must light out. In derision, they repeat
our faded out war cry, " The preps, must go,"
while they watch us pack up our possessions
and prepare to light out. They must have
our sanctum, they declare ; the edict has gone
forth, and so must we. But, we will still cling
to the friendly halls of the Institute, which so
kindly nurtured us while we were still weak.
For it must not be thought that we are not
now strong : we are but weaker than prep-
dom ; and in this we are but on an equality
with the Institute itself. When prej
tends itself over that, then shall w
not until then.
AN INVENTION !
The following is a f(u simile of ;
postal card sent to the Iron Age, an
in all good faith by a genius from
West :"
~^tr (^'^^J^d
The editors of the Iron Age, \
conservative paper, felt some delica
lishing so revolutionary a communi(
kindly forwarded it to the Indicat
latter, being a more radical shee
hesitancy in revealing the astoni:
covery.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
91
PUDLISHKD ON THK
15th OF EACH MONTH, DURING THE COLLEGE YEAR,
BY THB
INDICATOR PUBLISHING COMPANY,
^teVen^ In^titate of Tecpolosj.
TERMS ^-11. 60 por Year, in Advance. Single Copy, 20 Cents.
Atfrml at fUbiikem Port Cjfice at Stcmd Clou Mtitttr.
Extra copies can be obtained at Luthin^s book store,
Hokken, N. J.
Subscribers will please immediately notify us of any
change in their addresses or failure to receive the paper
regularly.
Tht writer's full name^ as well as his nom DE PLUME,
muii accompany the article, as assurance of j^ood faith
and reliability ; but it will not be published, unless desired.
Exchanges, contributions, subscriptions, advertisements
and all other communications by mail, should be addressed
telHi Stevens Indicator, Stevens Institute, Hoboken,
TN the microcosm of sportive college life,
^ just as in the outer world of stern reality,
the same sentiment prevails as regards the
men whom unrelenting fate forces to bid fare-
well to old associations that they may attempt
to live another and unknown existence : De
morluis nisi bonum ! So let it be in our case I
The Class of '85 is about to leave us ; her
death-knell is being sounded. Commence-
ment— the threshold is crossed, and naught
but their names and eminent examples will
glimmer forth in the darkness for men of fu-
ture ages, aspiring to that great honor of be-
coming true sons of our Alma Mater. But
is it possible that '85 will be altogether dead
to Stevens ? If we may judge from present
appearances, the men of this class will not for-
get the place where they had endeared them-
selves to everybody. In their struggle for ex-
•
istence, while foiling for the daily bread in
obedience to the common doom of man, let
tbem occasionally cast their glances in this di-
rection, and let them lend their aid with heart
and hand, whenever they find Stevens in
need.
Success has attended the class of '85 in all
»ts undertakings ; in athletics, it has been
foremost ; in music, it has taken the lead ; at
socials, it has distinguished itself ; and last,
and according to some least, in study it at-
tained a high degree of perfection. But, it
too must go ; its men, too, having tasted of the
fruit of knowledge, must abandon the paradise
of college life, that dolce far niente^ for a cold,
unsympathetic, Philistine world. It must,
however, be remarked with full justice, that
they go not unprepared to fight the battles of
life ; they are armed in point of theory as
well as practice.
Stevens Institute, like a provident mother,
stocks her children well before she sends them
away to shift for themselves. So let them go
forth to the dingy, smoky factory or work-
shop, where they can devise and build new
machinery, that grand exponent of the power
of man's mind ! Let them go forth and tri-
umph over every opposition ; make slaves of
the gigantic forces of nature, and cast in
bondage the elements themselves !
And, as we bid them farewell, let us ar-
dently hope that success may attend them in
the future, in order that they may do honor to
the name of graduates of Stevens.
-•-♦'
TT7HE present number of the Indicator,
-l the official journal of the Stevens Insti-
tute of Technology, completes the sixth num-
ber issued by the great monopoly, the "I. P.
Co.*' From a poor, forlorn few, beseeching
help, the company has become, by dint of
judicious wire-pulling, a thriving corporation.
From its present prosperity, it is evident that
the proper chord has been struck in the hearts
of the students, their support coming unsolic-
ited and in such an amount as to warrant the
stockholders to dream of still larger dividends
in the future.
To-day we enlarge our issue, and in addi-
tion to the contributions from the company,
we take pleasure in acknowledging several
from interested friends ; and we make the ef-
fort to present an unusually attractive num-
ber, not to make a parade of our unbounded
wealth, but in honor of our departing Seniors.
\
92
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
We devote another space to the class of '85,
and will note a few more points in the growth
of the Indicator.
The Alumni editor is still at large, but we
hope the association will take some definite
action at their meeting this week. We are un-
able to offer any selfish inducement to the
editor from the Alumni, as our dividends are
only divisible by fifteen, but we hope that the
love for Stevens and a desire to see this enter-
prise still more prosperous, will be a sufficient
incentive to induce some member to accept
the position.
The dividend lately declared, although un-
precedented in the history of corporations, for
its volume, is still within the imaginative scope
of the stockholders, and in order to follow out
our purpose, which is, as set forth in Article
XXI. of Constitution, a "grasping after the un-
attainable," we must still progress, receive
more subscriptions from the students, and if
it be possible, a more hearty support.
* ♦ » »
TT7HE Indicator learns with much regret
A the fact that Prof. Carr is about to leave
the Institute. Since coming here in 1882, he
has made many friends, and has filled the
position of Professor of Marine Engineering,
a department created by him, and one cal-
culated to tax the abilities of a young man to
the utmost, in a very able manner, and his
lectures have been of great benefit to the men
who have been fortunate enough to come
under his instruction. As assistant to Prof.
Wood, he has supplied a want which had ex-
isted for several years before he came among
us, and which was becoming very urgent
about the time of his appointment, and his
work in that department is worthy of great
praise. The Indicator has cause for much
gratitude toward him, for when the paper was
in its infancy, and was looking about vainly in
search of some place which it could call its
own, he stepped in and with great kindness
gave up half of his office as a sanctum, and
this at a time when its presence there must
have been very annoying to him.
While his departure was not wholly
pected, it will be received with deep reg
his many friends here, and we can onlj
that he may find it for his best interests
turn and resume his old position.
<^ » »
WE take pleasure in presenting this 1
a highly interesting article from d
of Prof. Thurston. The article, as ind
by its title, "Stevens and her Faculty," s
command the interest of all. We insert
of the Institute, as originally designed wi
tower. The building, as it is now, was fii
off with the tower base, but with provisio
its completion at some future time. Tl
we present is taken from an old journal
lished shortly after the building of the
tute.
< ^ » »
S. I. T. GLEE CLUB.
The concert given on May 13, in Bro
was a very creditable performance,
warbling of Mr. Brainard, the solos of
and Burhom, the banjo playing, as i
every event of the evening, were fav<
commented upon by the Brooklyn c
The joint whistling of Messrs. Koll
Schlesinger was a decided " hit ;" we
that their repertoire will be increased, !
next concert, to more than two numb
order that they may display their pow
better advantage. The Polytechnic ore
also showed a proficiency far in advai
any ordinary amateur performers. I
living proof of what even busy, overw
students can do if they only set their
about doing a thing with spirit and
Stevens ought certainly follow the exam
the Polytechnic by uniting the now sea
musical talent into one whole. Our
club is one step in that direction ; the
will undoubtedly soon follow.
The concert for the benefit of the A
Association will be given on Tuesday
16, at Odd Fellows' Hall. The progi
for that evening has been changed en
and new songs will rouse the echoes •
hall for the first time in Hoboken.
The club will need a good many re«
some of its best and most energetic m<
leaving with '85. The banjo club als
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
93
hate lo become popular among the class men,
if it is desirable to have it become a standing
inititulioD.
Id college life, just as in the outer world, it
appears at first view that men, who having run
ikit course pass out into another existence,
ue irreplaceable; but invariably it is found
ihal posterity pushes forward men fully as
able as their predecessois. Let us hope that
thai will be the case at present.
SOCIAL.
As the college year draws lo a close and the
alamni turn toward their Alma Mater, and the
audents gather to bid farewell to those whom
they have reverenced from afar, the Seniors,
itbtcomes our pleasant duty to chronicle in a
few brief words those events which have tended
in some measure to relieve the careworn brains
of our Seniors and Juniors.
first of all we touch a vibrating cord in
miy alumnus' heart when we speak of the
usual receptions tendered by the professors
and their wives lo the two higher classes. As
is eminently fitting, Prof. Thurston's name
beads the list in both chronological and favor-
ite order. His first reception occurred on
January 30, upon which occasion the Senior
Class was received by Mrs. Thurston, assisted
by Miss Thurston and Miss Boughton. The
glee club made its first appearance, and was
«ell received.
The following week the members of '85 be-
'00k themselves to Prof. MacCord's residence,
'here they entered heartily into the games
wd card playing, which caused the evening to
*Mr away so rapidly. The only tabooed sub-
ject was kinematics, it being generally known
'lai the Seniors finished that branch last year.
Shortly after this. Prof. Wall, wishing to
sliow bis high estimation of the class of '85,
li"! noticing the effects of so much recent dis-
sipation upion their countenances, invited
'hem to an afternoon tea. This was largely
attended. Several of the faculty with their
wives graced the occasion. A particular frien 1
of ours remarked that she " hid expected to
meet some rough young fellows covered with
oil and iron filings," whereas '85 didn't appear
any different from the dudes of any other col-
lege. [As the class graduates, we shall not
suffer from their arrogance after reading this.]
Meanwhile '86 had been looking on at all
these entertainments with an envious eye (if
'86 ever could be envious). Now, however,
Prof. I'liurston decided that it was time to
become acquainted with next year's Seniors,
and accordingly, on the thirteenth of Febru-
ary the Junior class assembled at his residence
to become more intimate with their professor,
as well as to be presented to a number of Vas-
sar young ladies, who had accompanied Miss
Thurston down from Poughkeepsie "'especially
for this occasion."
But Stevens society had still another claim-
ant for its attention, and this originated with
the Seniors. Early in the winter they put
their heads together, and as a result there
sprang into existence the "Stevens Senior
Social." This very select organization gave a
number of hops during the winter, thus enliv-
ening Hoboken society in a great degree. It
needs hardly be stated that this new venture
was a success, and it remains for "86, when
her turn comes, to follow the good example
set by '85.
The students of the entire college received
invitations lo meet President Morton and the
Faculty at the Trinity Church Guild. A large
number of the students were present. This
reception may also be mentioned as tending
to show that at least a few outside of the col-
lege are interested in her social welfare.
In writing out this little history we have
come to a place where it is necessary to use
capitals: The Glee Club is a Grand Suc-
cess! Reorganized, as it was last fall, under
the leadership of Mr. Camp, of Wesleyan, it has
become decidedly popular, not only in Hobo-
ken, but also to a less degree in Brooklyn.
Thus we have come to the end of the year's
work, shortened by the gayety which has just
been described. Sadly we remember that the
pleasant lot of describing the festivities of
Commencement Week will fall upon other
hands. However, when we see before us
prospects of some day enjoying those very
pleasures which we are now content with de-
scribing, we not unwillingly give up the lesser
joy for the greater, and surrender the pen to our
successor. May the social events of the com-
ing year be so manifold that our successor will
grow weary of reporting them ! C.
A FUNEREAL DIRGE.
Oh, water balh ! water bath 1 Why art ihou gone
From under ihe hood ? Was the dmught loo strong?
Oh, water bath ! water bath \ Whither away 7
Doth any vile Junior oblige thee to sl«y ?
Ob. water bath ! water bath ! Cotne back to me !
Confide to thy warmest friend what made thee flee.
Oh, water bath ! water bath ! Gone, gone, forever !
Revenge will Iw sweet ! Forget thttf No, ntverl I
Da capo al infin.
94
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
COMMENCEMENT WEEK.
The Class of '85 has done well in preparing
to follow ihe brilliant example set by the Class
of "84, in regard to carrying out an extended
programme forcommencement wetk. Equally
extensive preparations have been made this
year, and the Seniors hope, if possible, to im-
prove on the past year's programme.
The week will commence Sunday, June 14,
with the baccalaureate sermon by Prof. Ed-
ward Wall, A. M., in the First Presbyterian
Church, corner Sixth and Hudson Streets, at
3 o'clock p. m.
On Monday night, Prof, and Mrs. Thurston
will hold their final reception to the Senior
Class.
CLASS DAY,
Class Day exercises will be held the follow-
ing day, Tuesday, commencing at half past
two in the afternoon. Mrs. Stevens has again
offered the free use of Castle Point for the
occasion. The opening address, by the presi-
dent of the class, will be followed by the
class oration, delivered by Mr, Henry Abbey.
The class ode will be presented by Mr. Paul
Hussey.
Pipes having been distributed, Mr. Arthur
Glasgow will deliverthe pipe oration, at the end
of which the class will unite in the singing of
the pipe ode. One of the most amusing and
interesting features of class day exercises in
general is the giving of personal hits, or
grinds." These will be given by Mr. Anson
Burchard, and will close the exercises at <'astle
Point. Then the grand march to the college
campus will take place. After the solemn
ceremony of planting the ivy against the wall
of the Institute, Mr. William Adriance will
give the ivy oration. Then follows the class his-
tory by Mr. Lewis N. Lukens, which traces the
various successes (there have beenno failures)
of the class during its four years' course. Mr.
William Dilworth will deliver the farewell ad-
dress. Music will be furnished by the Glee
Club and by an orchestra.
The programme distributed is as follows;
pro(;ramme.
Overture Orchestra.
Opening Address Harvev Damel Williams.
ClasK Onlion Henry Abbev.
Seleclion. S. I. T. Glee Club.
aassOile Paul Gordon Hussev.
Selection Orchestra.
Pipe Oration Arthlir Graham Glasgow.
Pipe Ode Class of 'Sj.
Grinds .,,... .Anson Wood Burchard.
IvyOnUion William Allrn /
Seleclion S. I. T. Glee Curl
Class Hlslorr LkwisNeviss I.u
Farewell Address WilLIAh S. Dilwi
Seicclion Orchestra.
At eight o'clock on the evening of
day, the Glee Club concert will be
Odd Fellows' Hall. No effort has bet
to make this the most successful ap
of the Glee Club this year, and the pn
will embrace the most pleasing and
selections suiting the occasion, Tht
is under the auspices and for the bene
Athletic Association; and the proceet
used for building dressing rooms
grounds. At the conclusion of the
the Senior Class will assemble at Mi
to enjoy their class dinner,
COMUENCEUENT DAY.
The Alumni meeting will take ]
usual, in Prof. Thurston's lecture rooi
idem Wm. Kent, "76, and secrelai
Trautwein, '76, will officiate. The s
be brought up for discussion, which hs
been mentioned in the Indicator, is
lion: "What changes should be ma.
curriculum of the Institute?" Mem
cannot be present at the meeting h
requested to send their suggestions ir
President and Mrs. Morton will h
annual reception to the students, in
lors, at the conclusion of the alumni
At half past six o'clock, the alumni
take of a supper at the Park Hotel.
The thirteenth commencement
will occur in the First M. E. Church, <
inglon Street. The order of exerci
follows, interspersed with selections 1
ORDER OF EXF.RCISES,
Inlrodudory Rcmaiks. PRFSitiENr M
Salulatoty Addres.^ John Mcirret
Address lo Gradualing Class.
Conferring of Degrees and Annount-tmenl r.
Valedictory Address ClaVtun Ali
The Graduating Class this year c
36 members.
GRADUATES AND SUBJECTS OF 1
CradHnles HeceiviKg Digrtt ef Meikanicit
Henrv AiiBEV, Ohio.
Oscar. Howard Baldwin, N.
Report on Triol of Locomolive No, ifiij.
N. j, (Trial on Regular Trips. Haulin
Trains over 'Bound Btoofc " Route )
William Allen Adkiakce. N.
Mowing Machiner)'. (Including Experii
terminal ion of Resistance.)
THE S TE VENS JNDICA TOR.
95
ALTER Joseph Broadmeadow, N. J.
Paul Willis, N. J.
sers for Steam Engines: Theory and con-
Edwin Burhorn, N. J.
North McLean, N. J.
r " Boilers. (Results of Trials to Determine
)
Anson Wood Burchard, N. Y.
Leon Greenebaum, Cal.
Nffachinery in the Manufacture of Fur Hats.
iViLLiAM Thompson Clerk, N. J.
gineering of an Internal Ship Basin : Original
Barton Haxall Coffey, N. Y.
Job Rockfield Furman, N. Y.
iry Engine and Boiler Test. (Experimental
tion of efficiency.)
William Herman Cor win, N. J.
al Motors : Commercial Economy of Systems.
William S. Dilworth, N. J.
Charles Emmet Machold, N. J.
of Engines of Penn. R R. Tug Boat •• Dela-
Ernest Dreyspring, Ala.
r Machinery : Construction and Operation.
Frederick Fischer, Pa.
ind Engine Test. (Report on Trials.)
Arthur Graham Glasgow, Va.
Richard Henry Rice, N. J.
i'lant for Cotton Mill. (An Original Design.)
Paul Gordon Hussey, N. Y.
on Engine and Boiler Test.
Lewis Nevins Lukens, N. J.
il Fuels. (Commercial Values and Devices
'g)
Simeon Martinez, Mexico.
on Performance of Two Saw Mills and their
tors (Steam Engine and Water Wheel).
Joseph Sylvester McCoy, D. C.
ission of Energy by Electricity.
)dward Herman Munkwitz, Wis.
Villi am Herman Munkwitz, Wis.
on Test of Pumping Machinery.
Rollin Norris, Md.
of Watts, Campbell & Co. 's Corliss Engines.
Clayton Allen Pratt, III.
Harvey Daniel Williams, Pa.
and Constniclion of Governors for Prime
Jose Charles Rendon, EcuadoIi.
Plan of Workshop. (Original Design.)
William Whitten Renwick, N. J.
Fire' Proof Materials.
John Morrell Rusby, N. J.
William Norton Stevens, N. J.
Leading Points in Locomotive Construction and Per-
formance.
Albrrt Anton August Silbur, N. J.
Hoisting Machinery.
Thomas Gardner Smith, Ohio.
Experimental Determinations of Efficiency of Gov-
ernors.
William Harvie Wade, Va.
Steam Engine Efficiency.
John Francis Wilkes, N. C.
Fitting up and Management of a Machine Shop.
The following are the prizes annually
awarded:
The Priestly Prize, for commendable work in the De-
partment of Chemistry.
The E. G. Soltmann Prize, for excellence of work in
Mechanical Drawing.
The Wm. A. Macy Prize, for highest standing, during
the Freshman year, of student entering from Hoboken
public schools.
RECEPTION COMMITTEE.
Emile M. Cotiart,
Cornelius J. Field
Edward P. Mowton,
Edward D Self,
Charles R. Collins.
Henry K. Morrison,
William Randolph,
Edward F. White.
At the close of the exercises the Senior
promenade will take place at the German Club
House.
The invitations issued are neatly drawn by
Mr. Williams. The design consists of a plaque
on which is represented a steamer going
to sea ; about this are the words, " Stevens
Institute Tech." Under the plaque to the
left side is a medallion with the monogram of
S. I. T., under which is a spray of spruce
crossed by a spray of clover leaves and a
flower upon which has settled a bee. The
meaning of the spruce is ''farewell," while
that of the clover is " industry." Whether by
this the class mean that when they leave the
Institute they thereby bid farewell to industry,
or that in bidding farewell to the class the In-
stitute loses its highest example of industry,
is not explained. If any of the members of
the class should be asked concerning it, we
are inclined to think that they would give the
latter solution.
96
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
BASE BALL.
The base ball team needs no more criticism ;
the batting averages, given below, will show in
part what was needed, and were we able to the
fielding averages, too, perhaps the main reason
for our record this year would appear. We
are glad to see the improvement toward the
end of the season, and hope it will show earlier
next year.
Names.
TimoM
B^.
Morrison
33
30
3"
25
16
l6
iB
S
6
7
6
4
'545
■335
.333
.a 14
seven^kV;.::::::::::'
Whieharo
"7
.o6a
.047
Coen
LACROSSE.
The review of the lacrosse season has been
given elsewhere, and we now give the record
of the games. They .speak for themselves, and
should give Stevens a great deal o( encourage-
ment. The games are not given in the order
in which they were played, or the great im-
provement made as the season progressed
would show more clearly. Let us hope the im-
provement will not stop here, but carry "Ste-
vens " near the top of the League.
New York Lacrosse Club i-i. Stevens 5 1
New York University ■■ ■■ 4 .... o
Williamsburg " " 5 .... o
Williamsbut^ " " 5 a
Druids, 1st, " " 4 .... 3
Druids, ad, " " o ' 3
New York University ■' " '.''.'.'.'. l '.'..'. 1
Total points gained by opponents, 36 ; Stevens, 15.
With the tournament held on Decoration
Day, the lacrosse season at Stevens is practi-
cally at an end, though at the time of writing
this we have still before us a postponed match
with New York University.
Reviewing the work of the past spring, we
have every reason to congratulate ourselves
upon the progress made. Improven
lack of it, is the standard by which the
of a team should be gauged, and not
the score of games. This fact seems
been appreciated in the college genera
I take this opportunity of thanking th
bers of the Institute for the cordia
support which has generally been exte
us. Of course, there are always a few
tutional growlers who are never satisfi
who make a point of making the m^
couraging remarks ; but, in spite of tf
have progressed, and are now establisl;
firm footing.
Of last year's team we lost four by
tion, and three others, members of '8
been unable to play this season on ace
thesis work. This, of course, weak*
very seriously, and the outlook at first
very gloomy. During the autumn, h
several men managed to get in a little p
and later, when the meadows froze, a
of new men played on the ice, and tho
had no regular games, the practice wa
greatest benefit in teaching the boys
handle their sticks.
Toward spring, when Hexamer's h;
secured for base ball practice, almo;
some three or four of the lacrosse men
avail themselves of the opportunity of
ing their catching and short throwinj
good effects of this preliminary trainii
very evident when the weather permiti
of -door work.
During the season we have playe(
matches, of which we won two. Ou
nents scored twenty-two goals to our f(
In one game only have we been white
Of the present team we lose this yi
two by graduation, and, with an ei
captain, we ought next year to be nearl
quite, at the head of our local league,
of at the foot, as we are this year.
The management of the team this
has been faulty, in not having enough 1
games. This has been partly due
causes : one was the reluctance to i
with such of the base ball men as we'
the upper end of the grounds, and ll
was the difficulty of getting together
men at any one time to form two sides
that so many have sticks, I hope that
cessor will have less trouble in this la
reclion, and the rudiments of the gan
now somewhat famihar to the team, I
him the task of teaching them the refii
and possibilities of lacrosse.
ROLLIN NORRIS, Ca
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
97
SPRING GAMES.
We give below a result of the spring meet-
ing. Some of the results, obtained as they
were with no training, show that there is some
excellent material at Stevens, and we hope
next year to see more training and better re-
sults. The time made by Isaac in the lOO
yards dash was not allowed, although both
time keepers agreed.
Events.
100 Yards Dash
220 Yards Dash ,
One Quarter Mile Run,
One Mile Run
One Mile Walk
Three Legged Race. . . .
Sack Race ,
Ruming High Jump
Standing Broad Jump. . ,
Running Broad Jump. . .
Hop, Step and Jump. . . .
Throwing Lacrosse Ball
Throwing Base Ball. . . .
Kicking Foot Ball
Putting Shot
High Kick
Winner.
Isaac, '88
Cotiart, '86
Isaac, *88
McLean, '88
McLean, '88
Isaac and Hawkins, '88.
Rickoff, '88
Greenebaum, '85,
Isaac, '88
Crisfield, '87
Greenebaum, '85
Flack, '87:
Morrison, '86. . .
Kletzsch, '84
Kletzsch, '84
Herring, '88
Second.
Lyall,'88....
Aguilera, '86.
Crisfield, '87.
Fuller, '88
Quimby and Wheatley, '87.
Glasgow, '85..
Herring, '88. .
Crisfield. '87.,
Burhom, '85.,
Finch, '89
Adriance, '85
Adriance, '85,
Adriance, '85
Time.
26^ sec.
57^ sec*
5 min. 23I sec.
8 min. 43 sec.
14 sec.
43 sec.
Feet.
5
9
18
38
289
311
168
31
8
Inches.
O
10*
I
3J
o
3
6
®**
3i*
T«^ o' War j :g - ;88 . ...... . . '87 Team won by 3 inches J ^,^^,^ .3, ^^. 3^ ^ .3, ^,, .^ , j^,,,.
Class '85, Events Won, 2 ; '86, 3 ; '87, 3 : '88, 8. • Stevens record broken.
I --~
POLO.
The Polo Club has done excellent work
this spring, and the team is one of which
Stevens ought to be proud. The team had
the misfortune of being compelled to play
under unfair referees, or the results would
kave been even better. Below is a list of the
games :
Hoboken vj. Stevens o o
Somenrille " »* o o
Hoboken •• ** i 2
Somemlle ** " o ... i
NewYork »* " i .... i
MetropoUtan " ** ... o i
Hoboken •• " 2 2
Pwonia •* " o .... 3
P»»onia " " 2 I
Crescent " '* o 2
Hoboken •* " o o
Totals won : Stevens, 5 ; opponents, i ; drawn, 5.
1^»»
Priest : " The devil'll have you sure, Pat, if
I hear of you being drunk on Sunday."
Patrick : " Rest aisy there, yer riverince,
^or it's only last night I dramed I saw his
^nor, St. Peter, and his riverince, the divil,
a-chuckin dice fur me sowl. *Dad, how I
J^iyered whin the divil got double sixes !
Rnmiricles, Peter,' sez he. * Ye spoke too
«^c,'says Pater, as he chucked double sivins"
"Spectator.
iBRSSRAUS.
'76.
E. P. Raque is in New York.
•77.
Maurice I. Coster has received six months*
leave. He is now travelling through the States,
preparatory to going abroad.
E. P. Roberts was present at a meeting of
the Institute of Electrical Engineers, and read
his paper on " Storage Batteries."
E. A. Uehling is the inventor of a gas seal
for blast furnaces. He is having his patent
put on a furnace at Sharpsburg.
'81.
H. (>. White is in charge of the New York
office of the Payne Engine Company.
'84.
A. Saunders Morris has returned from
Europe.
F. Van Vleck visited us last month.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
Toasts in order !
'85 — The Going, going, gone !
'86 — A Happy New Year !
Vacation is a tiptop time !
Hot sodium and water are bad things for
Christians to play with.
In many cases Freshman is decidedly a mis-
nomer, Freshboy being more appropriate.
The Senior thinks, while M. E.
Behind his name n pinned ;
" That I mighl have a sheepskin
" A skinny sheep was skinned."
Do not fail to make yourself acquainted
with Che features of the celebrated aJbino of
■88.
It can be demonstrated mathematically that
an engine is " off its base " when it is " on its
centre."
That suits me square to a T, said the stu-
dent as he "borrowed" somebody else's T-
square.
When a photographer gets shook by his best
girl, may he be said to have developed a
negative ?
This is a degenerate age. One of the
"preps." dared to flaunt a giddy cane in the
faces of the Sophs.
Now is the time for the Freshmen who
were dropped during the year Co hang around
and swindle '8g with Hawkridge's Cools.
One of the Preps, speaking of the quality
of the tobacco smoked by some of the Seniors,
said that even Ihe Freshmen were obliged to
close the doors.
Physics and French mixed ;
Student translating: " But here comes Ozone,
he will bring, etc." (Accompanying electrical
discharge from the rest of the class.)
A moke and a representative of the Emerald
Isle, both of very tender years, were seen
about the Instilule a few days ago. It is sus-
pected that they are candidates for '89.
" Come on, Sam, let's go down to Busch's
and get a glass of milk." (Cox.)
The Indicator offers a prize of 1,000 ctnti
for a bran-new subject for witticism, wanaattd
to last a year, its stock-joke-cow, O'W. J. re-
fusing to yield any other than stale milk.
The drawing rooms have lately been kept
locked whenever they were not used by any of
the classes. Is this precaution expected to
prevent the absconding of tacks, T-squarcs,
etc. ?
The Juniors are considering the advisability
of changing the design for their class pin. A
winged water bath is seriously advocated by
some, as being more appropriate than the bird
of Juno.
" 1 have a case against you," said the Soph.
to the purp, when he had locked him in tbe
show case.
"Don't mention it," said the purp. "lean
howl my own,"
At the concert in Brooklyn, the glee club
seemed to be somewhat in doubt as to whetbci
George Washington was the father of his
country or not, so they had to go back and
argue the question all over again.
After a life of nine months at Hoboken, llif
Freshmen have lose their aforetime verdancy.
That is what the juniors thought, so they
turned the fire hose on '88. However, ihe
class pictures were a great success.
" Do you play cards?" asked a Sophomore
of a Freshman, the other day. " Oh, yes ! «
have 'em every day in Math." "Indeed!
what game do you play ?" " Cribbage.'
"Ha — hem ! How quickly they learn."
Professor: "Can you tell me someching
about Francis Parkman !"
Snph.: " Did he write histories ?"
Prof.: "Yes."
Soph.: " Well- ah — he wrote histories."
During the trip lo Troy, one of the meiP'
licrs of our base ball team ordered whath*
called a hearty meal. The waiter, evidently -
novice, surprised Che party hilariously, by aslt-
ing very blandly : "How many is that for?"
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
99
)fessor of Chemistry, while walking
cture room, found a large pumpkin
tly in his path. He calmly picked
forward in front of the assembled
showing the fruit, said, with his
J : "One of the students has lost his
'., etc.'s, number elevens haye flour- ,
lerfully last term, and he now sports
pair in '87. They have assumed the
he tractrix, and are tangent to an
somewhere in the vicinity of his
; but as we could not find that, we
must be at infinity.
Endeavoring to explain to the preps,
nee between shall and unll :
what is the principal difference?"
Prep. — " Please, sir, I know.*'
"Well, Johnny, my boy, what is
Why — why, sir, they're spelled dif-
s — n says, that " St. George " has
of a good trotter, and only needs
I little to fit him for the track. He
ill rijn him an " 'alf " mile against
e B— ss or J-hn C-x. J-hn says,
s, some one will have to carry a pail
round the track, so that he can get a
t in a while.
the Juniors asked for and obtained
d bill for chemical apparatus bought;
ng recovered from the transitory
sequent upon his perusal of aforesaid
is mind seemed "visibly affected."
le enormous profit tempted him to
he glass blowers' business.
"Where ignorance is bliss," etc.,
ance from along suffered evil is now
*88 has organized a navy for the
cultivating biceps, dorsal, and other
tissues, and of exterminating the
imsey and the Weehawken. The
3f the navy are becoming proficient
nagement of their vessels, and it is
that the James Rumsey will be dig-
; at the bottom of the Hudson before
f the term.
1 machine shop :
-" Hey, there ; what are you moving
with that crowbar for? Don't you
e getting it out of line with the main
Freshman. — "You told me to do it, sir."
M. L.— " I told you to do it ! What did I
say?
Freshman.— "You said to set my lathe
over so as to turn a taper, and I'm a-doing
it."
The detective who was intrusted with track-
ing up the water bath, that has recently been
mean enough to escape without any apparent
cause (the professor says he always treated it
with extreme kindness, or rather water, when-
ever it was dry), has found no clue as to its
whereabouts. The man that accompanied the
W. B. in its flight more than likely needed
one. What will become of our professor if he
cannot enjoy even the pleasures of a water
bath unmolested ?
If you wish to flatter a Senior and to pay
him a compliment, show his so called photo-
graph around, and tell everybody it is a per-
fect counterpart of him.
The student goes ; his heart's not over sore ;
He takes his trunk and leaves the Jersey shore.
Midsummer comesj of all its charms bereft.
How cold the day when Hoboken is left /
The Senior smokes his farewell pipe, and drinks his
farewell beer,
Then gives his lass a farewell kiss — " Oh (U write soon,
my dear ! **
A messenger boy entered the Institute the
other day from Hudson Street, and cast an
anxious look about him. Seeing a student in
the chemical laboratory, he plucked up cour-
age enough to ask him how he could deliver
his message. " Just go outside and ring the
bell twice," was the answer. After an inter-
val of five minutes, the Junior glanced up
from his work and saw the messenger boy near
by, looking at him with extreme suspicion.
" Well, Johnny, did vou ring the bell twice ? "
the student asked. Ya-as," was the spiteful
reply, " and I rang it three ox four times ! "
"He who laughs last laughs best " —
Student : " Taking an isosceles triangle for
example, it may be a right angled isosceles
triangle or (Class laugh uproariously,
and Professor laughs twice as much, only he
does not make as much noise.)
Prof. " Hadn't you better modify your state-
ment? Just — just draw such a triangle on
the board."
(Student draws the triangle correctly. Great
astonishment ; and class and professor assume
a knock-kneed smile. Student then indulges
in a little private laugh of his own. Sneaky
music and colored lights.)
roo
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
Translations from ^^Die Anna Liese^* by
Soph. :
Anna, fass dich ! resolut ! resolut ! Ich
bin da !
"Anna, compose yourself ! Resolute ! reso-
lute ! I've been there " —
Zeit von 1694- 1698. Anna mit einem Rah-
zeug beschaftigt.
"Time from 1694-1698. Anna, with some
sewing machine material."
We always thought the sewing machine was
an ancient invention. In fact, we were once
told that a man in Plymouth, Mass, had a piece
of the old rock, said to have been knocked off
by the pilgrims while trying to lug a sewing
machine ashore. This fact places its origin
further back than the Sophomores.
TRAGEDY IN FOUR ACTS.
Act I.
The purp comes in the drawing room,
And casts his eyes abour :
The Sophs, him spy, and soon their cry
Has risen to a shout.
Act II.
McKibben. of electric fame,
Then grabs him by the collar ;
His dogship reels, then softlv saueals,
And ends up with a ** holler.
Acr III.
Professor M appears in view !
The Sophs, o'er boards bend low.
McKibben works, with steady jerks,
Upon his dynamo.
Act IV.
Professor then steals softly,
Takes the canine unawares
Through the room, unto his doom,
Which he meets upon the stairs.
T;vi^.tI»«Jl''
K<.')^if</
One not acquainted with amateur literature
would be surprised to know the amount pub-
lished in this country. With few exceptions,
every college has a publica^tion carried on by
its students, and many high schools and
academies have publications of a similar char-
acter. The majority of this class of periodi-
cals are published monthly, and a few bi-
weekly. But it is the character and the value
of this literature that we wish here to notice.
From SD SMiky different sources we must
necessarily have the gicatest variety of com-
position and style, and we must often ex pact to
detect in the style and the thought the inex-
perienced writer and the youthful mind ; while
on the other hand we may often be surprised
to find much of value in the subject matter,
and that so well expressed that the composi-
tion may compare favorably with many of
those from our standard writers. Many art-
icles in their subject matter show the result of
extended reading and thinking, and in their
composition great accuracy and care.
It is a pleasure to find much that is pro-
gressive and truly excellent in many of our
college papers. All encouragement should
be given to carefully published amateur litera-
ture, and with such we are always happy
to exchange. There are, however, papers pub-
lished for the mere sake of having a paper.
In such periodicals there is easily traced a lack
of thought and work, and the presence of ^
hurried and careless style throughout. It ^s
not right that such papers should be allowe<^
in one's sanctum ; and if all college pape"r^
were careful to glean from the list of public^'
tions only those that show real earnestness ^^
succeed and to improve, the general run ^
amateur literature would be greatly improve ^^*
Suffice it to say, to the credit of Americ^*^
colleges, that the better class of college pape
would form the greater list.
i
THE BOLT.
We have received the "Bolt " for '85, and it
affords us pleasure to compliment the mana-
gers on its good features. The illustrations are
very creditable. The pictures of students in
the cartoons are easily recognizable, and this,
for a college paper, is high praise. Although
the literary portion of the book has the too
great fault of brevity, this is partially re-
deemed by the good quality of contents. One
of the best articles is the little poem " Stevens,"
modelled after " Hiawatha." Although here
and there a line is at war with the metre, the
composition is an excellent imitation, even to
the repetition of idea in successive lines,
which is so often noticed in the original poem.
The little poem "A Health to '85 " is well
written, and has a very pretty illustration.
Many of the squibs are very good, and the book
makes a very favorable impression upon the
reader, although we wish that the literary con-
tents were a little more extensive.
• u
/
y -l^. V' C. ' '"■'
I
"1
rrrr stkvens fifDTCATOR.
rae
tevens Institute of TechiioloQ;y,
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGmEERING,
FODNI>EI> BY THE l^TK EDWIN A. STEVENS,
— *i^ —
HOBOKEN, N J,
' ^. ^Hil, M>ch. EaEinU^
E-, Piur Malli.Tind* "■
RlESti!D£ReEIl."M. E.,
W. E. GEYER.Ph. a,
»
STEVENS _HIGH SCHOO
THE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT
"t
STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY.
BIVEB STREET, bei. Sth and Bth, HQBOKEN. S. J-
OPENS SEPTEMBER -16. 1885.
£;;ftT&liistio<w tor h&rabviia^ on the 14th and IBbh or SEptember.
IFQU COURSES OP STUDY, PREPARATORY TO SCHOOLS OFSCEBNCE UFD COLLEGB
JUNIOR DEPARTMENT,
SENIOR DEPARTMENT,
S7B.0O PER ANNUM.
sreo.oo per annum.
>.l,. all lb* •tuai.'i
;r]an dl Son^QB Ih£U(ace.
tHfi
^fleve^s TRdi^alsi^.
HOBOKEN, N. J., NOVEMBER, 1885.
No. 8.
THE LATEST CRAZE.
nt man, S. 1 T., 'eighly-five,
' the needful to keep him alive,
iself last July in a very bad way ;
ork from Prof. D. at a dollar a day.
ig, ** Since in my pocket a sheepikin I've
ced,
>ing to work on the new aqueduct."
ghtway our President that very day
in a hurry with O. W. J.,
led down South fast as steam cars could go,
t fetch up until in Mexico.
ig, *' In my valise a new note book I've
ked.
pne to get points for the new aqueduct."
er invented a little machine
'twill work remains yet to be seen)
tg experiments very complete,
amount of the earth's latent heat
Qg, *' If they dig deep 'nough, I soon will
iduct
imetry tests in the new aqueduct."
>d set to work both with might and with main
t improvements on rock drills again.
;htly conjectured, when they reached bedrock,
aen around him in coveys would flock.
ng, '*You must for us some new rock drills
istmct,
: we can't do without them on our aqueduct."
lear the shanty, called chemical lab.,
id of cobbles, green, yellow and drab,
ped in the midst of all prepdom at play,
infinite joy and poor Donald's dismay,
ing, "I am Prof. Leeds, and these boulders
:re plucked
a the very bed rock of the new aqueduct."
ned Prof. Kroeh, just to keep his hand in,
for the sake of the *' boodle " or " tin,"
work on the subject ; as yet it's in press —
Iter has fooled him, or I miss my guess.
ring, "Gentlemen all, if you are not 'plucked,'
le day you'll be working on this aqueduct."
urday noon, after some slight reflection, 'i
all took the preps on a tour of inspection.
ent up to Yonkers to see the great tunnel,
nt down a hole, like an inverted funnel.
ging, as the wet clay in their pockets they
ackcd,
11 make some nice marbles with this aque-
luct"
When the Seniors grew weary of locking their door,
And had given out contracts for cleaning the floor,
They turned their attention to G^/nmencement night.
And then in their note books began to indite.
Singing, " It is now time our theses to construct,
We're all going to write on *The New Aqueduct.' "
And poor 'eighty-seven, dyspeptic and meek,
Is bulldozed into working twelve hours in the week
In the chemical lab., with a Alter and funnel,
A testing for ore in the aqueduct tunnel.
Moaning, " Prof. L. should let us by means of re-
duct-
ion test for rich ore in Ma/ o/J aquedtut /"
So the fever spread on, and one '88 man
Was found drawing in full a complete working plan
Of some modern design for a hydraulic ram,
To be used in some part of the new Quaker Dam.
Singing, '* '8q thinks she don't want to be ducked.
She'd better not visit our new aqueduct."
Thus Graduate, President, Senior and Soph,
And Junior and Freshman, Instructor and Prof.,
All went wild over one and the very same thing ;
With th' exception, perhaps, of Professor MacString.
Singing, '* How in the mischief can our Profs, in-
struct
If they're all taken up with that blamed aqueduct?^
But Professor MacCord, far renowned for his years,
In a most solemn voice expressed his grave fears
That
[This will be continued in number 9 of volume
XVII, of the Indicator, price 20 cents.]
PRIZES: THEIR USES AND ABUSES.
For I have them on the list
As I am sure they won't be missed.
Prizes, like all else mundane, have their
abuses as well as their uses. If all things earthly
were classified into those useful and those use-
less, I would be inclined to class prizes, to-
gether with Jersey mosquitoes, among the lat-
ter. The custom of awarding prizes, though
an ancient and universal one, is sanctioned by
so many good and wise men, yet it is open
to many serious objections. There have been,
however, instances in which the offer of prizes
has brought good results. Prizes are now
offered for new and important discoveries in
ti8
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
X science, and for excellencies in works of art
and literature. Though the intentions are
good and commendable, yet as the end can
never justify the means, they should, in equity,
never be used. The use of prizes may in some
cases be more excusable than in others. For
instance, in reference to works of art. But in
no case are they justified, nor are they neces-
sary. The best works of science and art have
been done without their intervention. The
greatest writers, scientists, and artists, are
those who work through a love for their calling
and not for other rewards ; the only good
that prizes can do is to call attention to the
subject ; but such men do not need this. The
moment that they put a prize on their work,
their object becomes mercenary and all its
beauty is destroyed. The giving of prizes for
the performance of good deeds is barbarous.
Good should be done for its own sake.
A prize is in itself intrinsically wrong.
When divested of everything but plain facts,
it is nothing more nor less than a bribe given
for something that should be done without its
aid. It is simply a name for a very bad thing.
Why not call it a bribe at once ? for that is
what it really is.
I remember that, at the institution to which
I was sent in my more youthful school days,
the discipline of the place, together with the
learning of our lessons, was maintained by
the fear of punishment on one hand, and by
the bribery of prizes on the other. Then, in
our youthful days, before reason and judgment
had been fully developed, our minds needed
something to force them into the path of recti-
tude, as, of course, small boys do not know
what is good for them. On my part I enjoyed
the companionship of both the rod and the
prize, and I should, therefore, have no preju-
dice for the one more than the other. How-
ever, I look back with less satisfaction on the
results obtained from the latter. I can re-
member distinctly all the ill feeling, jealousies,
squabbles, and broils growing out of the
awarding of prizes. A prize was often the de-
stroyer of the warmest friendship.
After having grown out of the need of the
rod, I had hoped never to meet again its boon
companion the prize. But I was doomed to
be disappointed. Here at the Institute, where
young men who are old enough to see the earn-
est side of life, come to prepare themselves for
their profession, there are given three prizes.
Two of these are comparatively harmless, but
the third is a doer of much evil. This enemy
of humanity is thie Priestly prize. Every Junior
class, but the present one in partici
suffered from its evil eflFects. In the \
obtain it the object of the study of cl
is lost sight of. Its victims become sel
forget the considerations that they o
classmates.
This year the study of chemistry \
made much harder, though the formei
found it hard enough. The work has
most doubled. Besides having to pre
usual amount of qualitative analysis,
fortunate Juniors are required to prepa
nine pages of the hardest kind in the
chemistry, to review the former les
each day to take down and copy is
note books, about nine or ten questic
the laboratory, besides the usual qu
analysis, they are given salts to prepa:
Together with all this misery, the
prize comes in to make itself felt. Tho
ing for it spend four instead of two afi
a week in the laboratory, thus getting f
of where they should be if they work<
fully during the required time. Our
professor seems so absorbed in the com
that he forgets how much an ordinary
working faithfully, should do. The
quence is, that already, some of the I
dents who are not working for the pr
been informed that they are behind,
have to exert themselves to get up
mark.
It is a fact that may seem strange t(
vocates of prizes, that in the departi
which there are no prizes, the student
as well and even better, than in those i
there are. The money spent in priz<
be spent in a much better manner.
•^-^
ELEMENTARY BLOW-PIPE AN/
I.
The subject of blow pipe analysis
which very little or no time can be de
the chemical laboratories of college
taught at all, there are generally bi
prominent reactions to which any c
ation is given. These reactions are >
ful and simple, and require but lit
still there can be no true satisfaction i
ing them, without also knowing some
the system to which they belong.
Blow pipe analysis has several prac
vantages over the ordinary methodj
TH^ ST^V^NS tNDtCATOk.
tt9
analysis, viz.: The necessary apparatus for
qualitative analysis occupies but a small space
and may be contained in an ordinary cigar
box, thus being especially adapted for travel-
ling ; the determinations require far less time
than if done by wet analysis; and finally, the
amount of substance used is very small, when
compared with the amount used in wet analy-
sis. In many cases the latter can give no reac-
tion unless much larger quantities are taken.
Blow pipe determinations are mainly appli-
cable to mineral analysis, as in minerals the
number of elements rarely exceeds four, ex-
clusive of the water of crystallization, while
the larger and far more important classes of
minerals contain only from one to three ele-
ments.
A skilful operator is generally able to deter-
mine four elements in a mineral without diffi-
culty, when any of these elements is not less
than one per cent, of the substance, although
with some elements the amount may be less,
while in some others it must be more than one
percent, before they can be determined.
The subject is logically divided into three
parts:
fl. The reactions of the elements; in which
a known substance is taken and the reaction
observed. The object being to familiarize
one's self with these reactions.
^. Qualitative analysis ; in which an un-
known substance, generally a mineral, is taken,
treated in a systematic manner, and the occur-
ring reactions observed. The object being to
determine the elements of the substance by
nieans of the observed reactions.
! c. Quantitative analysis; in which a definite
quantity of a substance containing the known
clement is taken and the amount of the latter
\ found by weight. The object being to deter-
( mine the percentage of the element in the sub-
stance. This division requires complicated
apparatus, including a very delicate balance,
^d thus far includes only the elements, silver,
gold, lead, bismuth, tin, nickel, cobalt and
niercury.
The extent of the present article will only
permit us to consider the reactions of the ele-
ments with any degree of thoroughness. A
knowledge of elementary chemistry is presup-
posed, in order to understand the chemical
reactions that take place, and which will be
illustrated by formula whenever it is possible.
It is not surprising to see that groups of
elements which are similar in their nature
with regard to fluid reagents should also be
similar when subjected to the action of heat.
either alone or in the presence of dry reagents.
There are some exceptions to this rule ; how-
ever, on the whole, we may say that group II.
of qualitative analysis corresponds to the
group which is determined by the incrusta-
tions on charcoal ; groups III. and IV. cor-
respond to the group determined by the color
of borax beads, and groups V. and VI. cor-
respond to the group which is detected by the
color imparted to the Bunsen flame.
For practical reasons, this system is but the
main portion of a larger system, which embraces
also a few smaller groups and several special
tests for certain elements.
As in wet analysis the elements are mainly
determined in the form of certain invariable
compounds having special properties, so also
in dry analyses compounds principally oxides
are formed, and the elements determined by
the properties of these oxides. In a few cases
the element is determined in its pure state or
in form of other compounds.
The following order of groups is adopted in
working through the reactions of the elements,
being also the order in which a single un-
known substance is treated when analyzed,
the main object being to make the largest pos-
sible number of tests with the same portion of
the substance :
Group I. — Elements determined by the sub^
lunation tube.
Group II. — Elements determined by the oxida-
tion tube.
Group III. — Elements determined by the
flame coloration.
Group IV. — Elements determined by the in-
crustation on charcoal.
Group V.^Elements determined by the
colored borax beads.
Group VI. — Elements determined by the
heating with soda.
It may be stated that some elements belong
to two or more groups, and that the special
tests for certain elements will be given at the
end of the group to which they properly be-
long.
The apparatus required are : A blow pipe^
having platinum tip. This is the most im-
portant instrument, therefore close attention
should be given that all the joints are tightly
fitted, and the opening in the tip a perfect
circle, .4 mm. to .5 mm. in diameter.
An adjustable blow pipe lamp^ having a rec-
tangular wick. Rape seed oil or a mixture of
6 volumes of alcohol and i volume spirits of
turpentine produce a pure, luminous flame.
120
TH£ STEVE Us INDICATOR.
An ordinary alcohol lamp, platinum pointed
forceps y brass forceps y a few pieces oi platinum
wire about 2 inches long, melted into the end
of a short glass rod, the latter serving as a
handle ; a piece of sheet platinum about i inch
by \ inch ; some glass tubes 3 to 3 J inches
long, \ inch diameter, closed at one end ; some
glass tubes 8-9 inch long, \ inch diameter,
open at both ends ; a few pieces of fine grained
charcoal y made from fir wood, being 4 to 5
inches long and from | to i inch square at
the ends.
The reagents are borax, phosphorus, salt,
soda, saltpeter, hydrochloric and sulphuric
acids, cobalt nitrate solution, water, litmus
and fernambuc papers, and metallic tin.
O. Pf.
( To be continued, )
-♦-♦
THE SUCCESSFUL COLLEGE PAPER.
To make a college paper a successful ven-
ture is not as easy a thing as it would seem at
first, especially not in a college, where but very
little time is devoted to literary work. Lit-
erary exercise, outside of a decided talent for
writing, is largely a matter of training.
Children should be made to begin early in
life to write their compositions, and follow
these up by essays ; so that they may be
taught how to express themselves concisely
and at the same time clearly.
The expenses of a college paper are very
seldom paid by the subscriptions to it. This
necessitates advertisements placed in the front
or back of the sheet. To collect these, send
in bills for them, and get the money all paid
up, keep the books and see to the subscrip-
tions, is in itself a very formidable work.
Then, for the matter contained in the paper,
there ought to be a personal interest shown by
every member of the college in the welfare of
the college journal. Support should never be
found wanting, no matter to whom one may
turn.
Unfortunately this is rarely the case, and
the editor of the paper has to spend a great
deal of time going around soliciting articles
to fill up his sheet. And although there are
but few willing to write articles, there are
always a large number ready to run down the
paper for not containing enough material.
Besides collecting the material from the
contributors, some one has to see that it is put
in the printers' hands in time to get the paper
out at the proper date.
Before the final copies are struck oflF, the
proof sheets have to be thoroughly revised and
corrected, and then, finally, the paper comes
out and has to be distributed among the sub-
scribers.
For all this the editor gets but little credit, and
a great deal of blame. His pay consists in the
appreciation of his work and encouragement,
but how can he feel encouraged when students
will not contribute or subscribe ? To be a
success, a college paper must have the support
and interest of all the students in the college
at least. The alumni can help a great deal
It is always interesting for the undergraduates
to hear of those who have gone before theo,
and to see what positions they are filling. On
the contrary, the alumni cannot help but take
a deep interest in their alma mater.
A college paper containing alumni news is
sure to be much more interesting to every-
body, and it is sure to be taken by each right
spirited alumnus.
-♦♦♦-
WHAT IS AN M. E. ?
Editor American Mcuhinist :
Having long been an admirer of the Ameri'
can Mcuhinisty on account of the excellent
work it has been doing as an educator of
American mechanics and mechanical engineers,
it is with regret that I notice in an editorial, in
its issue dated September 5, what I con-
ceive to be an erroneous view concerning the
meaning of the letters M. E. when placed
after a man's name, and the right of any per-
son to place them after his name. The edi-
torial in question conveys the impression that
these letters mean simply that the man is a
mechanical engineer, or that he practices me-
chanical engineering for a living ; that they
are a descriptive title of the same kind as the
words " machinist *' and " boiler maker," and
that they may rightly be used by any one who
considers himself a mechanical engineer.
Will you allow me to enter a protest against
this view, and to state my own opinion, which
is : I St. That the letters M. E. mean not that
the man is a mechanical engineer by virtue of
his having actually labored as such, but that
he possesses a diploma conferring the degree
of mechanical engineer, which diploma has
been conferred upon him by a college having
authority by law to confer such a degree.
2d. That no other person has any legal or
moral right to use them. 3d. That while
there may be no penalty attached by law to
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
121
the wrongful use of these letters, such as there
is in many States to the wrongful use of the
letters M. D. (which mean that the user of
them is the possessor of a college diploma con-
ferring the degree of doctor of medicine), the
man who uses them and who is not the posses-
sor of a legally conferred diploma which en-
titles him to use them, is guilty of a wilful
deception of the public. It is possible that
scHne who wrongfully use these letters are not
guilty of wilful deception, since they are
actually ignorant of their meaning, but they at
least lay themselves open to the suspicion of
wilful deception, and if honorable men they
will no longer use them after they become
aware that such use renders them liable to
such suspicion.
That the letters M. E. do not mean that the
user of them is entitled to any special emi-
nence as a mechanical engineer, gained by
years of labor or great achievement, is evi-
denced by the fact that not one of the eminent
American engineers, whose long experience
and high reputation entitle them to the front
rank as mechanical engineers, now uses these
letters, or ever has done so. The late A. L.
Holley, who was pre-eminently a mechanical
engineer, used C. E. after his name, but never
M. E. John Ericsson, Horatio Allen, Charles
T. Porter, Charles E. Emery, A. H. Emery, R.
H. Thurston, Charles B. Richards, John E.
Sweet, E. D. Leavitt, Jr., and many other em-
inent engineers who might be named, never
used the letters M. E., not having had the col-
Icgediploma legally entitling them to use them,
and they would scorn to use them without such
legal nght. Some of these, however, use the
C. E. or the Ph. D., to which they are right-
fully entitled by diploma, although they do
not now practice civil engineering or that class
of scientific research for which the degree of
Ph. D. is granted.
Still further, the letters M. E. are (with pos-
sible rare exceptions) rightly used at the pres-
ent time only by the younger men in the pro-
fession of mechanical engineering, and their
use actually advertises the fact, that their users
^ of comparatively limited practical experi-
ence, because they are young men. This re-
sults from the fact that it is but little over
ten years since the degree of M. E. was first
granted. The large majority of M. E.'s of the
present time have not been graduated from
(xl^%^ over five years.
The American Machinist has frequently had
sneers at college graduates. I am not pre-
pared to say that some of them are not de-
served. The fresh college graduate with the
M. E. degree is apt to know very little of ac-
tual practice ; but, as Prof. Thurston, over ten
years ago said to a graduating class, the col-
lege course well fits them to begin to learn to
become mechanical engineers. Many of such
graduates I know, who, after receiving their
diplomas, aware that the diplomas did not
confer the advantages which only practice
could give, went into apprenticeship in ma-
chine shops and iron works, working like labor-
ers, at first on wages, from fifty cents to a dol-
lar a day. Who shall say that these men,
after five years of actual practice, are not likely
to be the equals as mechanical engineers of
men of the same experience who have not had
the advantage of a college training? Three
such men I have in mind, who thus began at
the bottom in 1876. They have been ad-
vanced by their own merits from one position
to another, till they now have hundreds of
men under their control. Two of them are
superintendents of motive power of prominent
railroads, and the other is superintendent of
large steel works. Are there any mechanical
engineers in the country who are not college
graduates who have advanced so rapidly
during the last ten years ?
I have no objection, Messrs. Editors, to
some of your correspondents continuing to
sneer at college graduates. It will do the
graduates good. They cannot have it too
severely rubbed into them how ignorant they
are of practice. It may teach them a proper
humility which some of them are sadly in
need of. But, say a good word for them oc-
casionally in your editorial columns, and
thereby acquire for yourselves a reputation
for fairness. Laugh at them, if you will, for
sporting the cabalistic letters M. E. These
letters are only a little bit of plumage, which
the new fledged bird is apt to be rather proud
of, but, in the spirit of justice, at least, do try
to discourage a certain class who are not emi-
nent engineers, and never will be, from bor-
rowing or stealing this plumage, and thereby
making themselves contemptible. " Fine
feathers don't make fine birds ;" the M. E. don't
make a mechanical engineer. The strutting
peacock and the newly fledged M. E. may both
be objects of ridicule, but the crow that steals
the peacock's feathers, and the mechanical
engineer who steals the M. E. that he has no
right to, can only be objects of contempt.
William Kent.
26 Highland Ave., Jersey City, N. J.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR,
The whiteness of porcelain is principally
due to kaolin, which is a clay consisting al-
most entirely of pure hydrated silicate of
aluminium. Other materials are combined
with this to give the necessary toughness and
cohesion ; these, in the requisite projiortions,
are placed with a quantity of water in large
vats, in which a thorough mechanical mixture
is obtained by means of agitators. When the
mixture in this fluid state, as white as milk,
has been sufficiently stirred up, it is strained
through sieves, varying in fineness from 30 to
30 threads to the inch. This liquid com-
pound is reduced to the form of stiff
dough by pressing out the superfluous moisture
in strong cloth bags. In this condition it is
ready for the potter. Before reaching him,
however, it is weighed out into lumps by his
assistant. The lump is first rolled into a pear
shaped ball and then placed in the centre of
the wheel or disk revolving horizontally.
This disk is fixed on the end of a vertical
shaft which is supported so as to have as little
friction as possiUe. Another disk is fixed on
the shaft about a foot from the floor, and it is
by means of this that the apparatus is made to
rotate. The potter sits with the apparatus
directly in front of him, he places his feet on
the lower disk and by pushing with one and
pulling with the other foot, the apparatus is
made to rev61ve with quite a high velocity.
The clay on the upper disk is made to per-
form the most extraordinary evolution. It
spreads out, leaving 3 hollow centre, and grows
like a mushroom under the skilful hand of
the operator. As the clay revolves rapidly,
the operator has only to change the position
of his hands, which are dipped in water at fre-
quent intervals, to produce any shape he may
The exquisitely thin Tups, etc., from Sevres
are, however, made in an entirely different
way, (. e., by means of plaster of pans moulds.
The moulds for cups are made like a cup
with sides about j of an inch thick, the in-
terior of which corresponds exactly to the
exterior of the cup to be made. Into this
mould is poured an aqueous solution of the
clay, which is about the consistency of thick
cream. This solution is allowed to stand in the
mould a length of time proportioned to the
desired thickness of the cup.
After the mould has stood the required time
the solution is poured out and the mould set
aside to dry. As soon as the 1
is poured into the mould its po:
moisture from the liquid, and tl
deposited in a thin film all over t
the thickness of which keeps incre
the solution is poured out. As thi^
it gradually contracts, so that whec
it can be easily turned out of the n:
The articles, after leaving the ha
potter, are placed in the drying hou
sufficiently dried they are placed in
cuit " kilns, as they are oddly callec
celain ware is baked twice, once in
and once in glaze. Some of the flu
are submitted three times to the ii
of the kilns. The process of bakii
from 35 to 50 hours.
To ehe Indicator :
The above is described from
actually seen at Sevres, by
C. H. P
THE SONG OF RANKIA
Come all fc close students and listen u
1 will sing of a man and a bold engince
Who wrote large red volumes of many 1
It by the memorable
And w
Singing fulcrum and lever, coi
Resultant of motion with the {
His teil book of mill work was worst o:
Containing hard chapters, good drill foi
On cog wheels and cycloids he talked a
But what struck us most was his skew I
Singing, fulcrum, etc.
Ua side valves and pistons he had a qu
As well as a chapter in parallel motion
And he'd muddle you so with 1 demons
That you'd wish yourself at the end of <
Singing, fulcrum, etc.
He wrote a big volume which is labelle
On the transfer of molion, with a glanci
And the vehicle moti<m, with its norma
Either craies or blinds you— it is hard t
Singing, fulcrum, etc.
His book for the civils, a solid old thin
The way he made figures was a shame
With stringers and trusses, and their re
And arches and piers, with their solid I
Singing, fulcrum, etc.
The last thing ever wtillen by Mr, Rar
Was a book ou engines to be driven l>)
With a crank and crank arm Hhich
.\nd steady old piston he callci
Singing, fulcrum, etc.
Ihc;
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
■23
Mr, Rtmkine is dead, and we'll si
CHORUS.
Singing, fulcrum and lever, connections and
Resultant of Qiotion with the dead working
— Exchange.
SCRAPS FROM OLDEN TIMES; OR, THE
STUDENT'S LUNCH.
HE morniog sun
shinned up the
eastern slope and
a prize refulgence
on the " Land of the
Free and the Home of
the Dutch," And as
thi; sunbeams glimmered
with a nickel plated
gtiramer and sneaked
noisily into the eyes of
the Dutch, the Dutch
roatt up with one accord
Md girded on their second hand clothing.
With one accord, they said "Wie Gehts,"
Md sallied forth to brew the vulgar beer
Md drink thereof. And with the Dutch rose
ftitch Lewwie, Lewwie Iceberg, the keeper
of the "beanery." "I see," quoth he, "the
sunbeams prowling in. 'Tis time to agitate
» limb, and mix the sawdust with the bread
loddust the ancient buns and pies that I've
lud on hand for over oofteen months. It's
tird lines to run this baker business. Got to
reduce running expenses sure. I'm only mak-
ing four hundred per cent, on buns and I
ought to make five. Now, ' by my troth,' pul-
'wiied sugar is too luxurious for this concern.
Cnished lime is just the thing to use, I must
Ixup and order some; one, two or three, four
or five, six or seven, eight or nine barrels, and
■bat 1 don't order, by heavings I will steal,
»ith ray hand cart and my little son, when the
niidnighl shades cavort and wilt the carrots in
yon grocer shop."
And as he spake he gaped. Not an ordin-
"y Dutch gape, gentle reader, but a Lewwie
Iceberg gape. A gape which goes around beg-
png for description. But Lewwie was very
considerate about it though, and roofed it
O'er with a wash bowl. He let the board of
health have their own way about it. They
told him' several times that they wasn't going
to have him circulating his breath all over the
country, and then have the people promenade
all over their shapes for bad sanitary condi-
tions. No, sir! The board said they were
altogether too fat and lazy for anything of
that kind.
"Yes, yes, yes," continued Lewwie, as he
gave a hop, skip, and a jump into his under-
shirt, and adjusted the rest of his rags. " Lime
is quite the proper article for sugar. Sprinkle
molasses water over it for taste. Taste don't
amount to much. Bulk for one cent is the
great unvarnished end. Ho, ho! I am a
snoozer, though. Great and deep is my ex-
pansive intellect, and great and deep is the
gouge I make in the students. Ho, ho! He,
he! Ha, ha!" and right merrily his spirits can-
tered on the up grade, and very shortly he
spread out in a little thing of his own. Just
listen.
Oh, I'm the chump thai keeps the place,
And I'm the cook as well.
My wife she tends the " beanery shop," '
And Ihc ancient food dolh sd).
My pies and cakes and penny buns
. I never have to bake,
But from the ofher bakeries
Their antique stock I lake.
And full price I make ihem pay.
Then give three cheers for Icebei^ Lew,
Of flies he is bereft.
For damp and chilly is the day
When Lewwie doth get left.
But Lewwie got a little bit too fly on the
last choum — m, and he accordingly fell down
two pair of stairs with a genuine Dutch thud.
After having performed this great gravity act,
he picked himself up and began to quote
choice selections from favorite authors, Lew-
wie Iceberg being the prime favorite.
"Now, darn them stairs," he began, as he
untangled more than half the household fur-
niture from his neck. "I shall have them re-
moved. Yes, sir! That's the «th time I've
124
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
fallen down 'em this week. Yarkup! Yar-
kup! Allez and gnaw the front stairs into
kindling wood. Acquire a very weighty mo-
tion, or I shall fall down 'em again/'
And Yarkup moved heavily with his front
teeth, and Lewwie promenaded up and opened
the "beanery" for the day. And then his
wife appeared, to engineer the " snyde " store,
while Lewwie went below. She took her place
behind the counter and gnawed on bologna
and the low bom onion, while the cockroaches
held a dress parade on the show case. The
time was 6 a. m., and Lewwie rushed about
below to make people outside believe he was
baking something fresh, but of course he
wasn't rash enough to do a thing of that kind.
He had eight baking pans down there; and
first off he'd put 'em on a shelf, and then all
of a sudden he'd knock 'em off, and then
you'd hear more noise than all the steam bak-
eries in New York put together. Then, when-
ever a customer came in, he'd shove all the
pans ofif twice and rush upstairs and lug big
baskets of stale rolls out to a cart in front of
the store, just as fast as his two legs would let
him. Then, as fast as he put 'em in the wag-
on, his little son came up the cellar way and
took 'em back down stairs, so as to have an-
other basket for his pop to take out. They'd
keep this up as long as there were any custom-
ers in the store, and then when there were two
or three customers, all his wife's Dutch rela-
tions would pile into the store and leave big
orders for bread and all kinds of truck. Ev-
ery other day the whole family would take
down all the stock and soak it up and pum-
mel it, just to keep it capable of being masti-
cated by anything this side of a goat. That
is, anything with a liberal jaw this side of a
goat. False teeth and gums wouldn't work
for a cent, unless the article was soaked all
night, and then the individual might be led
into the belief that he was eating a dish rag or
stale flour paste. Lewwie had any quantity
of "skin games," but lack of space prevents
an enumeration of them all. A few speci-
mens will do, just to show how he could bull-
doze the public with eight baking pans, a big
Dutch family and excessively ancient victuals
of all descriptions.
The morning wore on, and so did Lewwie's
pants, sitting around and waiting for noon,
for then was the time that the great jingling
of shekels took place, as at that hour the
blithe hearted and thoughtless students wan-
dered over for the noonday meal, and got
stuck the worst way by Lewwie.
Well, as was previously mentioned, the morn-
ing and Lewwie's pants sang softly the duet,
"Wear on, oh double jointed morning," and
in reply, the double jointed morning kept
wearing right steadily on until it run out of
"wear" entirely, and had to stop short. Then
was noon at hand, and up rose Lewwie and
smote his hands anon; and in piled the whole
family to tend the "beanery," at the hour of
jingling shekels.
In something that approximated to a few
minutes, the first detatchment came. The
same old dingy mob in the same place.
Every detatchment had always just the same
number and just the same place to stand,
and masticate baked lumber. First came old
Korpzingaboom the Lean, with the flowing
shape that bulged in seven consecutive direc-
tions without making any deliberated attempts
to bulge anywhere in particular. And then
in contrast came Sir Bung, with a shape that
did not pretend in the least to do anything
but bulge. Then followed Peed, the Micro-
scopic Mackerel, Skein, St. Luke, and many
more. With the same movement they simul-
taneously cast their eagle eyes on the proper
article of distress and dyspepsia and fell upon
it, also simultaneously. After the first round
the amount eaten began to vary in direct pro-
portion to the strength of the eater. And the
amount eaten at the end of any one second
was equal to the strength, into the size of the
mouth, specific gravity of the article and num-
ber of the second. In this connection it is
well to mention that in finding the specific
gravity in this case, bricks are taken as unity.
In a few minutes the company began to con-
verse on various topics highly instructive and
entertaining.
" I say," said Koopzing, as he picked up an
imitation doughnut, "what's this doughnut
made of ? It's the best I've had this season.
Try one, fellus. I've eaten eight."
Lewwie heard the question, and told Koop-
zing that it was made out of a superior kind
of butter and sugar, and then he laughec
clear way up his sleeve and down his back
because he knew all the time that it was mad<
out of whale oil and smoked herring (old).
" Got any apple pies ?" continued Koopzing
" Yes," said Lewwie, and he brought fortl
an old pin cushion in disguise, ** fine ; bake<
to-day." And Koopzing ate thereof an<
thought it rich in flavor.
" Now, I wot," spoke up St. Luke, " bu
this is something rare. No flies on this,
grasping a cream cake that had begun to rt
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
125
a corn fritter from age. St. Luke
e indeed. No flies there were on that,
glorious old reason that the flies could
J on it ; too rank for 'em.
w, I think truly," he proceeded, " that I
e a few of these home in my hat. I'm
nd of these ;" and he took four more
)sided into masticating silence,
ur taste is very good, St. Luke," an-
Mackerel, " but mine is undoubtedly
in G. These are the things to grow
n," and, taking a charlotte made out of
d plaster paris and asbestos, he began
id to business.
n't either of you know what is good,"
Bung. " This is the thing that is su-
to everything else," and he tackled
3usly a ham sandwich stuffed with lard,
srrily did a little stream of it trickle
adown the front of his breeches,
te in silence for a few moments, when
ly Peed dropped his cream cake all over
y shirt front of Koopzing, and with one
they all dropped the objects of their
efforts, for afar off had they simulta-
r spied the ** beanery " belle, and, as
Qod in rapturous silence watching the
ching maid, the festive Lewwie stole
isly around the backs of their chairs
thered in the dropped victuals, and he
them on the counter and sold them
;ain. You see, that was one of Lewwie's
ames. The maid was one of his Dutch
is, and she used to assist I^ewwie every
the great second hand racket. In this
e boys used to buy the same article over
several times. They always forgot
iropping the things, and came to the
iion that they must have chawed it up
^ so they usually dealt out the ducats in
It for another supply. Shortly after
\ second detachment came in, contain-
irge percentage of "preps.," with va-
inds of shapes, all of them inferior to
an early potato.
w, look at that," said St. Luke, point-
i big, fat and lazy prep., old enough to
ried ; ** do you 'spoze that would float
)uld fall in the river ?"
er," answered Koopzing ; " soap fat al-
Dats." And then the prep, took sick,
aldn't eat his rubbish.
ly," spoke up Peed, " these preps, draw
id bugs. Look at the size of *eni. I
's move off and let the vulgar prep, pur-
way alone."
say we all of us," rejoined the mob ;
and straightway they lit out and got them-
selves hence. The preps, ate on and on until
they, too, were filled with past ages, and
heavily they dragged their gigantic feet behind
their diminutive bodies and left Dutch Lewwie
to himself. He gathered up his shekels in a
pile and counted up his goodly stock. Then
laid he them away in a stocking that he stole
the week before from his neighbor's clothes
line.
" Now, on, on with to-morrow," he ejacu-
lated, and, with a laugh that shook all the
mortar out of the wall, he sang in a swan's
down manner :
Then give three cheers for Iceberg Lew.,
Of flies he is bereft,
For damp and chilly is the day
When Lewwie doth get left.
(Rubbi dub, de, de, de ! with both heels in the show
case.)
T. Dingus Kehoe.
-♦♦-
^%mmA^\Q,Yimm.
IC
OH, YE TEES!"
To the Editors of the Indicator :
If all the students take the Indicator, as
they should, this notice will come under the
eyes of all. It is in regard to the way in
which T squares belonging to some of us are
handled by the members of the other classes.
There are very few members of the Institute,
I think, who would be unwilling to allow
members of the other classes to use their
squares, if they would use them properly.
But, when students persist in taking other
people's squares and having fencing matches
with them, or bat their neighbor over the
head with them, or use them to drive in tacks
with, naturally the owner of the mutilated
square feels rather badly about it. As long
as this continues, there is no use in buying
new squares to be broken up by those stu-
dents who never have gotten one of their
own, but persist in using, or rather misusing,
those belonging to some one else. Our pro-
fessors have taken every precaution they can
to protect our property, but they cannot
watch over each student's individual property.
It rests entirely with the students, who should,
as gentlemen, have regard for the property of
others. Hoping that this may assist us all in
keeping our T squares in good condition,
Yours, for fairness, T. S.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
!Fhe Sfeevei^g Indiealieir.
IBtk OF EACH MONTH, DUMHQ THE COLLEQE VEMR,
INDICATOR PUBLISHING COMPANY,
^teVen^ Institute of Tec|noIog j.
TEiH t-ciu r«' v*V' *" lUniM- u»ti* c»n, ao Ctote.
Exira iapitt can it eilaineJ at Lutkiii's book ttertt
HobBktn,N.J.
Smbtcriteri vrill pUast immeJiaUfy nelify ui «f any
tkanst in Ikeir addmsts er failurt le rtciive the fafei
Ttguiarly.
Tfu wrilet'i full nantt, at well as kit NOlf DB plume,
mtitt atctmtany Iki article, at atturaiue of i^ood faith
attd reliiMlHy ; inl il vnll nut it fuilithed, unlest dttirtd.
Exchaagtt, cimtriititiaHt, luiscriflviiii. advtrtiiemenli
ami a/ialXercmnmuttitalient by mail, theuld beaddnttid
te Thb Stbvens Indicator, Stevens institute, NiiioieH,
N.J.
^7^£ publish from the American Machinist
Vl/ a communication from Mr. Kent, '76,
regarding the meaning of the title M. E. In
an editorial, which claims to call attention to
this tetter, we notice the following sarcastic
remark : " There is one item of information
in this communication covering a point upon
which we are glad to be infonned ; that is,
that the letters M. E. may be rightly used only
by those with little or no practice in actual me-
chanical engineering. We do not believe it is
generally so understood, but if it comes td be
the practice, it may be just as well." We
gladly acknowledge that this anathema against
" technical schools " in particular, and all
graduates in general, is in entire sympathy
with the sentiments of most of the Machinist' s
subscribers, though not accepted by its learned
contributors. Nevertheless, we beg to remind
the editors of that paper that in ancient times,
before men were licensed M. D. at an institu-
tion of learning, there were many persons,
without a collegiate education, who had ac-
quired sufficient experience and knowledge,
by personal observation, to accomplish, at
times, extraordinary cures ; but still, at the
present time nobody questions the exclustvE
tight of medical graduates, however young and
inexperienced they may be, to the so called
degree of doctor of medicine.
Give the young M. E. a chance to obtain a j
good footing in the "profession," and yon j
shall soon see whether or not he will be able, \
by dint of a superior theoretical training, (0
compete successfully with the old and "prac-
tised " men, who are obliged to take thingi
for granted on authority, without individoil
investigation. As the science of mechanical
engineering is gradually being reduced to 1
collection of strict mathematical truths and
laws, so the necessity for a thorough theoretical
training shall be felt more strongly as yean
roll by. When the now sneered-at college
graduate shall have the recognition he prop-
erly rieseries, when one sided practical men
shall have been mercilessly swallowed by their
all consuming idee fixr of perpetual moiion, ,
and when science, in her entire majesty, shall '
rule this sphere, then shall practice bow im-
plicitly to the mandates of theory, and the
proud executor of reason's commands shall
acknowledge the superiority of the humiliate^
legislator.
mR. PFORDTE, formerly a member of the
class of '85, has returned to finish his
course at Stevens with '86. He has studied
blow pipe analysis under Prof. Richter, oi
Freiberg, Saxony, and has kindly volunteered
to contribute a series of articles on that inter-
esting subject. As he is especially conversant
with this branch of chemical detennination*
we have no doubt but that his concise and
elementary treatment of that study will prove
a source of benefit and information to all of us-
TTTHE frontispiece of this number of th*
*1* Indicator is by Mr. Kolb, 'SS. As af*
artist, our aesthetic Sophomore promises ^
great future. Entirely devoid of the crude"
ness usual with first attempts in sketching
the " Leaf from the Sketch Book " makes u -
anxious to see another from the same hand.
IF^BIGBIKBR CPRBS.
B The other day we entered the building with
W an iDtention of taking a card of the hbrary.
W V^ found everything in splendid order. At
r th^ librarian's desk was an alphabetically ar-
raxx £ed catalogue of subjects, as well a^ one of
aucliors. The books had been classified and
re— sirranged; the book cases were numbered,
ar» <3 attached to every case was an index show-
is ^^ every book belonging to the class for
wtmmch that case had been reserved. Any
book whatsoever could be obtained from the
libvarian within a surprisingly short time, and
th^s- key of any case was lent to any student
ors application. The study room especially,
WSL^ as quiet and secluded as ever, no loud
talking being permitted. A writing table also,
w^K.^ noticed, with a pair of large scissors hang-
in^^ at its side (evidently reserved for the edi-
t»«-sof the Indicator).
Our indicator was evidently drawing on its
ow^r-fertile imagination, and had built a "card
in 'fthe air;" probably it was taking a glance
ii**«> futurity. Still another explanation would
b^» that we had examined the card upside
do-^jni, and that it was all vacuum and no
P^'^^^ure. Take your choice.
-^card was taken this month of the litera-
*t» We course. In this department it should be
ix;>ted, the " Shaw " packing was formerly used
**"*- *irely. This, however, was of such loose
n*^«.terial, that a large amount of steam was
w^«^ted by escaping through the stuffing box.
P^B-xtof this packing has now been replaced by
a substance known as "Chaucer," and the
c^»-d taken shows a much more satisfactory
cc»«3dition of things. The stuffing box, how-
e'vet, is not yet what it should be. We would
si»Kgest that a large quantity of the " Shaw "
psk-cking be removed, and that the remainder
b« worked up with more substances of the same
r>ature, as " Chaucer," such as " Milton," and
" Shakespeare." Such a change, we are sure,
would be for the better, and all the steam gen-
erated would be utilized. As it has been, a
8t*4t amount of the steam generated has been
™sted on the desert air.
•*■■<:>{. D. V. Wood is taxing the powers
?* *^vir Juniors and Seniors to a surpris-
^^i tlegree by making them solve a great
maay real and imaginary problems of mechan-
T//£ STEVENS INDICATOR.
ical appliances, as well as of proportioning of
parts according to mathematical principles.
Apart from that, short essays on different parts
of the steam engine are written or compiled
by the students, and read almost daily before
the class. The only drawback seems to be
that the class at large do not, and perhaps often
cannot, follow the thread of the article with
the close attention it may require ; still, it is
beyond the shadow of a doubt that the student
who writes such a short thesis profits greatly
by being obliged to hunt through numerous
books, and to read many opinions, before he
can give even the most superficial view of his
subject.
The athletic grounds have received their due
proportion of attention the last month ; the
team practising as usual every afternoon from
five to six. During the early part of the month,
it was customary to see but one whole director
on the field at one time, but lately we notice
with satisfaction that the occasions are rare,
when a quorum of the board is not present.
The board is in good working order, they
meet occasionally every day, the corresponding
secretary has bought a "Complete Letter
Writer " with an appendix on " Bulldozing as
a Science " — so all goes well. We hope to see
the games with Ihe University of Pennsyl-
vania, Wesleyan and Rutgers arranged defin-
itely, after which the team will probably go
into quarters.
The team in the games played thus far have
earned the reputation both of good players
and, to our sorrow {at Easton), of developing
some characteristics which would make an
honest player blush.
The first Princeton game, on our grounds,
was a disappointment to many, after witness-
ing the Yale game. To be sure, Princeton has
a first class eleven, but still that does not ex-
plain why all the hard work was left to Coti-
art and Cook. These two, of the whole team,
128
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
were the only players who tackled surely.
The half backs were wild, wild ! Gilchrist
made plays that showed plainly the need of a
penissd of an elementary treatise on foot ball.
At one time we had the ball within a few feet
of Princeton's goal line, yet, without an effort,
this chance was lost, and touch downs for
Princeton continued with a regularity and
rapidity that made good people pray for dark-
ness or rain.
The following Saturday, the eleven, although
crippled, went to Princeton, to play the re-
turn game. Rash people in Hoboken staked
money as a guarantee for the assertion that
the score would be up in the hundreds. The
game was an agreeable disappointment to
every one, and a decrease of twenty-two
]>oints on Princeton's former score was very
cheering.
With such a showing, the game at Easton
was looked forward to with much interest ; but
it was an off day (or something similar), and
we lost. The record of the eleven was re-
ported as follows : So and so played poorly ;
so and so, very poor. This one walked up
and down, as though on dress parade ; an-
other forgot he was on the field ; and but one
out of the eleven amounted to anything, and
with such poor support he was unable to make
headway against Lafayette's eleven.
The game between Columbia Law School
(so called, for why we can't say) and our
team was a very pretty game and well con-
tested. The Columbia eleven was made up
of old players from Princeton, Yale, Harvard
and Columbia, and naturally were well ac-
quainted with the game. A serious fumble,
followed by a splendid run of Hodge, gave
Columbia a touch down. This was the only
point scored during the game. The appear-
ance of three new men on our team, and the
manner in which they played, deserve special
comment. Captain Hart per the Board of
Directors, is (or are) to be congratulated in
his (or their) choice.
Campbell, to be sure, occupied his old posi-
tion of half back, and proved his former
reputation of a strong and brilliant player.
Crisfield, as end rush, played a faultless game,
and elicited much enthusiasm. His manner
of tackling excelled any on the field. Ran-
dolph was capital and worked effectively.
Captain Hart resumed his old position, but
the remainder of the centre was weak. Con-
sidering the amount of weight there is next to
him, very little of it is put to good use.
The class games have not been played, but
'89 has been busy, and handsomely defeatec^
C. C. N. Y., '89, by a score of 55 to o, and
the High School have won two or three games
from neighboring schools. The game, '88 rx.
'89, was an occasion of considerable import-
ance, and proved most exciting, finally ending
in a draw, the score being 4 to 4. The ad-
herents of both teams displayed their loyalty
in the usual way. The referee, although an
honorable gentleman and known to have great
presence of mind in times of public disturb-
ances, entirely lost his usual admirable con-
trol over himself, and drew forth volumes of
applause for the faultless game he played as a
rusher for '89. His placing of the fresbmen
was admirable, and the only evil result notice-
able was a great many chances lost to *^,
Then once he forgot entirely that he was
referee, and began a disconnected tirade on
some one in the distance, but coming to, he^
like a good referee, played an '89 man oppo-
site '88's centre rush and nobly saved a touch-
down for the freshmen. The game ** wound
up in a row."
Princeton,
On October 14th Princeton played on the
Stevens grounds, and, as was expected,
gained an easy victory. There are no com-
ments to make ; the game was too one sided
to be of interest, save in the fact that the In-
stitute eleven was gaining additional expen-
ence, but it was too well paid for, as the total
score was 94 points to o, in Princeton's favor.
The return game was played the following
Saturday, Oct. 17, and was a better game.
Princeton's referee was up to the standard,
but displayed a surprising ignorance of the
rules, occasionally, whenever an opportunity
offered, to aid the home team.
In the first half, Princeton scored 38 points,
Stevens o. The excellent passing of the
Princeton men, and brilliant playing by D^
Camp, Lamar, Cowan, Irvine and Haines,
yielded them 34 points in the second half-'
the score standing 72 points to o, in Prince-
ton's favor.
Stevens' rush line was fair. Cook and Coti-
art played the strongest game ; White an^
Gilchrist, also, did well.
Lafayette,
Saturday, Oct. 31, the Institute eleven weO^
to Easton and played a very loose gair>*^!
which cost them a victory. Game was call^
at 3 p. m., Stevens' playing up hill, with sU^
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
1^9
aces. A series of fumbles gave La-
touch down in ten minutes. This
lesired effect on our men, and, work-
her well, the ball was forced within a
s of Lafayette's goal, when T. Hart
Fair catch. A placed kick for goal
liave been made, but through bad
t this opportunity was lost. The
y was repeated shortly after this, and
r chance for a goal was lost. Lafay-
ad another touchdown, when time was
Lafayette, lo ; Stevens, o. In the
alf, Stevens scored three touchdowns
succession, two by Cotiart, one by
yr, but no goals resulted. Play con-
rhen a Lafayette man started with the
caught and " held " by our men, still
down the field, making a touchdown,
e referee allowed. A goal resulted,
: was called, with Lafayette winners
re of i6 to 12.
New York {graduates).
earn met the Institute eleven on the
ounds, Oct. 31. As originally organ-
New York team consisted entirely of
;s from the leading colleges, but, as
)eared for the game, they had recruited
rious outside sources until the eleven
iplete. Bird, captain of Princeton's
I ; Hodge, captain Princeton lacrosse
a, and several well known Yale men
le eleven a particularly strong one.
me proved exciting, and was very
:on tested. Hodge, by a beautiful run,
a touchdown for New York. This
only point scored, and when time
led, Stevens was disconsolate. New
; Stevens, o. We ought to play these
lin, and do better !
Inter Collegiate,
^ERSe^AUS.
i vs. Wesleyan 16 — o
68— o
" Mass. Inst. Tech. 51 — o
iceton vs. Pennsylvania 72 — 10
'' " " 80—10
* " Johns Hopkins ...108 — o
nsylvania vs. Haverford 68 — 10
" Lehigh 58— o
** " Lafayette 30 — 22
54— 10
sleyan vs. Trinity 60 — o
ayette vs. Lehigh ; given to former.
" Wound up in a row."
'75-
James E. Denton will lecture, in Febru-
ary, before the Franklin Institute, Phila-
delphia, on the subject of " Some Practical
Examples of the Laws of the Conservation of
Energy."
Frank M. Leavitt is proposed for mem-
bership in the American Society of Civil
Engineers.
•76.
James M. Cremer, Assistant Superintend-
ent of the Cummer Engine Works, Cleveland,
is proposed as a member of the Mechanical
Engineers* Society.
William Kent is Secretary and General
Manager of the U. S. Torsion Balance and
Scale Co., 92 Reade Street, New York.
•77.
John Rapelje is General Road Master of
the Denver, South Park & Pacific R.R., with
headquarters at Denver, Col.
'78.
Brown Avres is Professor of Physics and
Astronomy in the new Tulane University, of
Louisiana.
E. P. Thompson is Associate Editor of the
Electrical Worlds New York.
•79.
R. M. de Arozarena is proposed for mem-
bership in the American Society of Mechan-
ical Engineers.
'80.
George M. Bond reads a paper on " Stand-
ards for Pipe Threads," at the Boston meet-
ing of the American Society of Mechanical
Engineers.
Wilbur V. Brown was appointed last June,
Assistant Professor of Mathematics in De
Pauw University, Greencastle, Ind. He also
acts as Director of the Neckim observatory,
connected with that institution.
Dr. B. F. Thomas, in June, received the
appointment of Professor of Physics, in the
Ohio State University, at Columbus, to suc-
ceed Prof. T. C. Mendenhall.
'50
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
Malcou McNauchton is with the Torsion
Balance and Scale Co., New York.
Joseph E. Steward is inspecting bridge -
material for the P. C. & St. L. R.R., at the
Central Bridge Works, Buffalo, N. Y.
L. S. Randolph read a paper on the
"Strength of Stay Bolts," before the Ann
Arbor meeting of the American Association
for the Advancement of Science, in which he
records some experiments made to determine
the strength of socket bolts, as used in the
sides of fire boxes on locomotive boilers.
'84.
John A. Bensil was recently elected Junior
Member in the American Society of Civil
Engineers.
E. L. Dent is proposed for membership in
the Asierican Society of Mechanical Engi-
neers.
•85.
H. D. WiLUAHS is nominated for Junior
membership in the American Society of Me-
chanical Engineers.
Brace up. Glee Club !
Have you seen the Indicator gymnasium ?
" Hee-or ! hee-or ! come down from the-
'89 is already noted for its poker playing
propensities.
An ideal chaplain for the Senior class, M-t-lf
in a plug hat.
Various styles of " iron clad " books are
now in vogue.
Thanks to Prof. MacCord, the Indicator
has " come home again."
And now the Junior breaketh hi
struggling for the beastly /r/W.
Who is it that says knickerbo
shortly be worn again at Stevens ?
LuTHiN (to Soph.) — Have a Chai
Soph.— Tin Tag or Gold Coin ?
There is a lock on the door of tl
more cloak room. How long will ii
The freshmen have quit using t
as a lunch room since the detect!
came into play.
Prof. — What is a vacuum ?
Student. — A vacuum is anythir
anything in it.
Patronize the "Beanery;" all
attractions. For further particulai
some of the "88 men.
It must not be imagined that
Junior is mentally weaker he is
weaker than a Senior.
Class II. and III. are precipitatet
IV. and V. by alkalies, but the Jun
precipitated by Roscoe.
Prof, (dictating) — Question X
various descriptions of alums — er-
Ah, there !— Stay there.
Juniors : Prepare to see the cc
test, not between John L. and Slad
tween John L. and Julius.
Chemistry —
" Now, gentlemen, he has num
following question 46 Bg."
The freshman " hit the nail on 1
several times during the first few h'
vice work course in the shop.
"88 has clearly demonstrated that
what harder to restore ceilings to I
nal color than to " paint them black.
The depth of meanness is reach<
freshman sticks a thumb tack rig)
the centre of a higher class-man's d)
Prof. — Do you know of an engir
a connecting rod of infinite length ?
Student — Yes, sir ; one that ha;
According to a Soph., we reac
Machines " that " in 1840 Jacobus \
boat by means of electricity upon tf
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
i3»
To A Freshman. — Yes ; we agree with
Daniel Webster that a man has two •charac-
ters. To be or seem to be, that is the ques-
tion.
The Juniors have revived their taste for
literature and have taken kindly to Pope.
The " Rape of the Lock " seems to be the
favorite.
It takes a pretty girl just fifteen minutes to
don her hat. We doubt if the freshman, with
the carefully adjusted bang, can lower the
record much.
Suggested to '88.
Here's to '89,
For she's much in need of brine.
Drink her down, etc. — Ex.
We know of an '87 man who comes under
the following description : " Ful longe wern
his legges, and ful lene, Y-like a staf, there
was no calf y-sene.'*
(Extraordinary Deficiency.) — Prof. —
Do you know the answer to that question ?
Student. — I don't know that I do, and I
don't know that I don't.
Delinquents beware ! Those who do not
pay up their subscriptions within a reasonable
time will receive a visit from the business
nianager and his detective camera.
The following will apply to nine out of
every ten men in the college :
" Nowher so besy a man as he ther was,
And yit he seemede besier than he was."
The Senior decks his room with sayings wise,
And works of art pour from his skilful hand ;
Here coming men will gaze with wondering eyes
At these, their gorgeous footprints in the sand.
A Freshman must be pretty much exasper-
ated to have courage enough to rush into a
^phomore mathematical recitation and clamor
^dly for his hat which he had left in the
room.
Freshman (watching foot ball game) —
'''^ich are the further back, the half backs
^^ the full backs ?
Soph, (contemptuously) — The quarter
wcks, of course.
The neutrals called a meeting on October
^Mo elect their representatives on the college
^^ for the coming year. J. R. Slack was
chosen for the " Eccentric " and Robert G.
Smith for the " Bolt."
Most of the Juniors are busy drawing a
tombstone and its perspective. Are they
afraid that their overwork will tell on them or
are they in love, that they are for once so
much concerned for the future ?
Prof. Leeds brought down the house the
other day when he ignited H2 + Q. The
bung went one way and the cylinder the
other. No one was hurt, although a few
sophs, in the bald-headed row were drenched.
The student, whose message to a senior
working in the physical laboratory, was a mere
nod of the head, very easily got ahead of the
professor, notwithstanding the fact that " the
rules are very strict in regard to this matter,
sir."
Now, subscribers are the first ones to read
the Indicator when it comes out,'by looking
over their subscribing neighbor's shoulders.
Are they the same ones that pass their exam-
inations by reading over these same neigh-
bor's shoulders ?
Prof. — If you were going to build a blast
furnace, by what circumstances would you be
governed ?
Junior. — " I'd look for a place where the
water was good." Class laughs, and wonders
why he didn't say beer.
Prof, of Math. — " Your text book tells
you how to get at the distance of an object,
but it makes use of the optical law regarding
conjugate foci. That is unnecessary. I shall
now proceed to show you how to see this thing
without optics'' And the class did.
The following are the officers elected by '8
for the ensuing year :
President R. N. Bayles.
Vice President M. C. Beard.
Sec. andTreas Jos. A. McElroy.
Hist R. M. Anderson.
You must not suppose, because you hear no
more grumbling about literature or descriptive,
that the Grumbling Sophomore is extinct. He
has merely changed his tune, and sings a full
contralto to the wild tenor obligato of the
Juniors, in a love song addressed to chemistry.
While it is true that the black and yel-
low stockings of the Princeton men made
them look somewhat like a set of potato bugs,
it does not follow that our men should not
have some uniformity in color, instead of
some wearing red, some blue, and others
black.
t^i
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
It was decided to levy a monthly tax of
$1.50 on every member of the class. All the
necessary committees have been appointed, and
the work will be started as soon as possible.
The class of '86 is bound not to be outdone
by any of its predecessors^ nor by any that
may come after it.
The glee club will get under way just as
soon as the ''board of directors" can ex-
amine the lungs of the applicants. In the
meantime we would advise each student to
go down to the grounds every afternoon and
yell for all he is worth. The board will be
there to pick out the best men.
Two little Preps., in short pants, were over-
heard yesterday in a discussion on the relative
advantages of walking and running to develop
their legs for kicking in foot ball. Just im-
agine what abnormally muscular men we will
have on our eleven in future years, if Prep-
dom commence thus early in life a " scientific
training !"
Soph., laboriously endeavoring to establish
electric communication between two wires on
the basement ceiling, in the hope of ringing
the regulator bells, " Say, Louie, what wires
are these ? "
Louie — ** They were used last in a dynamo
test two years ago."
Soph, comes off his perch to remove the
plaster from his hair.
Professor of Chemistry (reading) :
" Question thirty-nine and a half. What are
acids, oxy-acids and salts ?"
Student interrupting — " Professor, does the
' oxy ' refer to salts ?"
Professor is completely paralyzed ; a burst
of laughter from class, followed by silence for
the space of five minutes, during which pro-
fessor endeavors to find where he left off read-
ing, and class nervously sharpen pencils, pre-
paratory to taking down question * thirty-nine
and three quarters."
At the meeting of '86 the following officers
were elected :
President C. R. Collins.
Vice President Emile Cotiart.
Secretary H. B. Everhardt.
Treasurer. J. S. Merritt.
Historian Wm. Fuchs.
Foot Ball Captain Emile Cotiart.
BOARDING HOUSE N01
— Hot lunches will continue 1
cold.
— It is rumored that some of t
have had turkey.
— Com beef and cabbage hoi
quite strongly in some houses.
— A very delicate soup is made
the shadow of a chicken for one
— Some of the Freshmen say th
Charlie Ross every Sunday for de
— A number of houses are se
feather beds back to the foundry tc
— Hash will be plentiful for sc
the game law is off and cats are qi
ous.
B^6II^BERIF26 ^&
In round numbers, a modern hi
comotive with i8''x24" cylinders a
steam pressure, when drawing a t
cars at the average rate of 50 mil
exerts 733 horse power. — Mech, E
A second hand dealer was tryi
boiler which had a badly bagged (
" I say," said the customer, poi
** how is that ? That don't appes
right, does it ?" " My friend," sai
confidentially, "they make 'em i
nowadays. Didn't you know
verted arch was one of the strong
construction ever introduced into r
Fact. — Locomotive,
Two hundred and eighty thous
of dynamite and rack a rock — a
plosive — were successfully explod
Rock, near this city, on the lotl
large quantity excited some app
the public mind, as it was unprece
no damage was done, and the ej
unnoticed a short distance away,
stated that so far as danger was
vessels might have gone within c
yards of it. The above includes
in the case, but the daily papers
penny a lined it out to four pa
Engineer,
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
m
Where is the Eighty-Four 1
Albion college has a comet band of four-
en pieces. It has also one of the largest col-
g« orchestras in the United States; at pres-
it there are forty pieces.— T'/w,/^.
A Syracuse Union Freshman, when asked
■ asocietv man recently, if he had pledged,
E>lied : ' I believe I did say something to
1. about not going into a saloon, but if you
«-«M get a bottle in some retired spot, I don't
.»ifc I would object."
"Xhe Vniv. Herald, from which we clip the
ove, must have a large reportorial staff. It
twages to fill up four columns with person-
» six with local notes, and half a column
1 1 marriages and deaths,
^^e learn from the Purdue that the new
Ops for the Mechanical and Engineering
-jiartments are completed, and that Pur-
« University has the finest equipped Me-
^Jiical School in the West. We wish Purdue
C:«SS.
"The Lehigh .5i<rr has an editorial on the
absence of proper garments for gymnasium
^^k." We invite the Burr to inspect our
*as gymnasium suits. Sophomores on ex-
t>ition on Monday and Tuesday, Freshmen
' Wednesday and Thursday, from a to 5,
We don't want to poke fun at the Chronicle
>OtiQually on account of its gaudy cover, and
-', friend Chromele, why don't you place a
't something like your prospectus on the
*ver? It would be much neater. By the
ay, we are sorry that you have lost Prof,
aams. We can sympathize with you, as
•ornell has taken one of our professors also —
fot. R. H. Thurston.
The success of the Troy Polytechnic is in-
leed phenomenal. Started last spring, it has
uready gained a place in the front rank of
"I'lege journalism. As early as last June the
P*per appeared with a large mathematical sup-
P'ement. We are greatly pleased to notice the
nnfflber of communications in the October
?"»; and we wish that our students would
follow the example of the Troy men and use
|w college paper more and the bulletin board
'"^ The Poly's alumni notes are very com-
plete.
Heretofore it has been our intention merely
to criticise and review the papers sent .to us in
exchange. From this time on, however, it
shall be our aim to commend or condemn, as
we see fit, such matters as may be found in
the local columns of our contemporaries. In
other words, the "college world," which was
dropped from the list of our departments last
year, will be partially revived and appear in
our columns merged into "exchanges," We
believe that this change will bring the ex-
change department up to the standard, which
is reached when the department has become
interesting, instructive and critical.
We are surprised to see in the columns of
the College J/^z-iraz-^a clipping about a " Vassar
Graduate." Couldn't the C. C. N. Y. boys
find something better to do than hold up Vas-
sar girls to ridicule and contempt ? Enough
harm has already been done the college by
thoughtless reporters. In fact, the annual
class excursion on the Hudson, if we are
rightly informed, has now had to be given up
because the newspaper men magnified girlish
vivacity into indecorous boisterousness. For
shame, Mercury ! Let the girls alone. There
are plenty of boy students within reach of
yourwit. [We suspect that the Mercury might
properly have substituted " Madisonensis " for
'' Exr\
The other day as the Countess was hurriedly
rounding the S, W. corner of Founder's, he sud-
denly collided with a Freshman. As the
youths stood with downcast eyes, each holding
his aching head, we chanced to catch the fol-
lowing conversation. The Freshman broke the
profound silence by exclaiming : " Great
Scott ! how that made my head ring ! "
" That's because it's hollow," haughtily
growled the Countess. " Why, didn't yours
ring?" timidly asked the Freshman. You
fresh fool, no ! " grumbled the indignant
Countess. " That's because it's cracked,"
the fresh individual replied, as he started on ;
and he don't exactly understaitd yet why the
Sophs, called on him that night. — Haver-
fordian.
THE STEVE MS INDICATOR.
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f2o. 9.
)tira e Mo<j«? for .;■
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THE STEVENS tNDlCATOR.
Stevens Institute of Technolop;Y,
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERmG,
POCKDEJD BY THE l^TE EDWIN A. STEVENS.
HOBOKEN, N. J.
HENRY MORTON, Ph. D.,
ALFRED M. MAYER, Ph.D.,
DE VOLSON WOOD, C. E,,
. aUHKITT WEBa. C, E., .
C W. McCORD, A M., .
ALBERT R, LEEDS, Ph D.
CHARLES F. KBOEH, A. M..
REV. EDWARD WALL. A. M..
E. DENTON. M. E., .
Pi»L B<i;c*-letlr«t
ViaX, dT ExvetimcfllKl Ueclasics and &1ivpiruiii
H. MORTON, Hoboken, N. J.
STEVENS HIGH SCHOOL.
THE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT
op THP
STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,
RIVES STREET, bet 5ih and 6th, HOBOKEN. H. J .
OPENS SEPTEMBER 16, 1885.
CXftfnlaftUoni lav Admlestoa on the IXth sad jath of Stplomber.
FULL COiresES OF STUDY, PREPARATORY TO SCHOOLS OF SCIENCE A«D COLLECES
JUNIOR DEPARTMENT, - ■
SENIOR DEPARTMENT, - - '
111*** t«niiM Innluil* Rll Cbr ■<
•76.00 PER ANNUM.
SIBO.OO PER ANNUM.
Par Oauiar^fli ftpsly ts clu la&nrjaa ot SMTen. liututmLv,
if'
I'
THE
^Uevefi^ jRdi(ial©P.
(/Ol. 2.
HOBOKEN, N. J., DECEMBER, 1885.
No. 9.
AN EVENING BY THE SEA.
Still and dull the evening air
O'er the water hovers.
Shadow-like, pass here and there,
A pair of lonely lovers.
Lovers dear, although so few,
One can find the world o'er,
But so many lovers true
Only by the sea-shore.
Where the billows kiss the land,
Shells and corals bring her,
There, outstretched upon the sand,
Cupid's subjects linger.
There, beneath the roofing sky,
Set with stars all glowing,
Near the ocean rolling by,
Rolling, ever rolling.
There, amid that darkened scene,
Wrapt in night, still comely.
Lovers on each other lean ;
None but me so lonely !
Love I must, and love I will !
Taste I shall love's pleasures !
Near thee, ocean, have my fill
Of life's greatest treasures !
F. W.
NATURE A MODEL FOR ART.
^reat works of art are the attempts of mas-
'^} to represent thought. A perfect ideal has
xisied in the mind, and many years of labor
'^ye often been expended in trying to embody
^is ideal. He has been the most successful
^^^st whose thought is highest, and whose
>Muction most vividly impresses this thought
^pon the appreciative observer. While, on
•^c other hand, he best appreciates art who
^adsin the production before him the thought
^f the artist. Thus it is that the artist's
Profession becomes a power, and the study of
^orks of art ennobling. For the purer the
Hought and the greater the skill of the artist,
^eraore powerful his influence in refining the
•^stes of men.
In nature the artist finds his most perfect
model, since here he sees pictures which
represent thought and which impress the
thought upon all lovers of beauty. Here, the
beautiful is set forth in hundreds of varying
forms. How beautiful ! How peaceful !
How wild ! and like expressions, are invol-
untarily uttered, upon beholding the different
scenes which illustrate these thoughts. So
perfect is the picture in nature, that thoughts
of calmness, confusion, sublimity or sim-
plicity, as the case may be, are at once
impressed upon the mind of the observer.
The supreme artist of nature has so arranged
his objects and so laid on his colors that in it
all and behind it all stands forth pre-eminent
an inspiring and elevating thought.
Pen pictures of nature are among the most
precious of our literary treasures. Many a
cherished poem has been written when the
author was inspired by the scenery around
him and lost in admiration and wonder at the
beauty of nature. Similies taken from nature
give life, charm and perspicuity to our litera-
ture. Thus, as the study of nature has fur-
nished so much that is beautiful to the
art of expression by language, so it reveals
to the painter the most perfect model for
the art of expression by colors. " To him,
who in the love of nature holds communion
with her visible forms, she speaks a various
language."
The first train that went over the Central
Pacific Railroad was an excursion, consisting
of many prominent men in our country, to-
gether with many railroad officials and their
families. It was purely a pleasure excursion.
The train was at their command, and stopped
where it was desired, in order that the passen-
gers might enjoy the delightful scenery and ex-
amine the wonderful engineering. At one time
the train was stopped in the midst of the Rocky
Mountains, and the whole party, consisting of
about 150 persons, proceeded to a deep canon
of wonderful beauty. On each side the rug-
ged rocks rose like castle towers, turret above
turret, to a dizzy height. The little company
looked and felt like pigmies beside great
giants. While standing in the presence of
these mighty works of nature, and impressed
136
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
bf dbe iBacnificeDce of die scene; the^
fdnf die long meter doxologj. The grad
foond rebounded from sde to sde of the
rockj canon, echoing and re-«dioing^ until the
loltkit turret took up the notes and inng
from its jagged peaks the old refrain, ''Praise
God from whom all blessings flov." Every
hevt vas touched. It vas a mote imptessiie
serrice than the grandest cathedral of Eorope,
with its great organ and wonderfol workman-
ship, coald ercr famish. And so natiire
presses home its thoaghu to us at times with
irresistible force.
What better design can the artist desire,
then, than the scenes and drcumstanGes which
have stirred men's emotions and inspired them
with the purest and highest thoughts ? And
to what higher skill can the artist aspire than
this, to represent his scenes with such reality
that they shall impress the obsenrer as nature
itself?
COMMENT ON VIRGIL.
^ They were going unseen in the londy night
through the shades and through the desolate
abodes of Pluto and realms peopled with
shades, as in the scanty li^t of the dim nKX>n
a journey is made in the forests, when Jupiter
has concealed the heavens with shade, and
black nig^t has taken from objects their color.
In front of the very entrance, and at the fore-
most doors of Oreus, Sorrow and avenging
Cares have placed their couches; and pale
Diseases, and sad Old Age, and Fear, and crime
persuading Hunger, and squalid Poverty, forms
terrible to be seen, Death, and also Labor, dwell
there. There sleep the brother of Death, and
joys injurious to the mind ; and, upon the
threshold opposite, death bearing War, and the
iron l>ed chambers of the Furies, and frantic
Discord, binding her viprous hair with* blood
red fillets. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Here is the
way which leads to the waves of Tartarean
Acheron. This torrent, turbid with mire and
of vast depth, surges and casts all its sand
into the Cocytus. A horrid boatman guards
these waters and streams, (Aharon, of terrible
filth, whose very long gray beard hangs neg-
lected from his chin ; his eyes are orbs of
fire ; a filthy garment hangs by a knot from
his shoulders. He himself propels the boat
with his pole and attends to the sails, and con-
veys the ghosts in his dusky bark ; now an
old man, but a god's fresh and blooming old
age. Hither the whole streaming multitude
was hastening to the banks. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
to cross first,
tended their hands with longing for
thcr shoce. Bnt the ^oomy boatman
now these, now those, but the other
pcxKs and kens far from the beach.
• ♦ ♦ • As soon as the boa
holds them from the Stygian waves,
that d***"**^, proceeding through t
wood and directing their steps toi
bank, he then first accosts them, ai
own accord challenges them : ^ Whc
arc, who approach armed to our rive
tdl me even there where you are, a
your steps. Thb is the place of si
sleep and drowsy night. It is not
me to convey living bbdies in my
ship ; nor was I, indeed, pleased to
ceived Hercules upon the lake a
proached me, nor Theseus, nor 1
althou^ they were descended from
and invincible in strength. He soi
his hand to consign to fetters the \
Tartarus, and dragged him, tremblin
♦ • • He, wondering at the
turned his dark hued boat toward 1
approaches the land. He then driv
other souls which were seated on
benches, and clears the hold. At
time he receives the mighty iCneas
boat. The boat of sewed hide g
neath his weight and, full of chinl
much water. At length he lands
prophetess and the hero safely a
river, amid the unsightly mire and c!
grass."
It is stated by biographers that b
gil attempted to depict the miseries a
of Hades, he took a trip to Hoi
chanced that he set sail from Barcl
and many of the most poetic descr
his grand old iEneid (especially th<
sixth book) contain allusions to
In the course of my investigation o1
ject, I unexpectedly came into pos
an old Dutch manuscript, dated
means of this last valuable historic
we obtain a very good idea of the p
by Virgil, Hades, or Tartarus, by
writer, hell, and by moderns, Hobol
Dutch writer, Hoedenschudtel, was
monk, travelling through America
that time was unknown to the worl
It is a curious fact, and one enti
looked in histories, that the portic
York known as Barclay, as well as
of Hoboken, was colonized as earl}
lime by the Dutch, who, about the
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
^Zl
Imost exterminated by a plague of bed
Let us turn for our authority to the
cript and notice the remarkable coin-
es between it and Virgil's description,
late :
id, about the ninth period after the es-
ment of Holle, there came unto the
I stranger ; for he was strange with an
strangeness. And, aforetime he came
mg, he caged himself in Barclay. But
eaten inward by an evil demon, which
lole through his stomach ; that he was
to carry a liver pad. Therefore, de-
he to Holle ; and coming there he was
or much was revealed to him upon the
So he rearticulated his bones together,
t him up out of the place after a day.
hind him he left a dirty shirt as a sign
irse. And that very day came there
he land a plague of Jerseys, or animals
g upon the fat of the land, and inhabit-
bed both of the bachelor and of the
I. And they were for much time ; but
squito did at last sting them unto death,
me, I was spared. So be it.**
seems to prove conclusively that Virgil
this spot long before it was generally
in the eastern hemisphere. He was
:ly the very old fellow with the soiled
but in order to convince the reader of
th of this assertion, I will point out re-
nces.
il, according to his own account, passed
Barclay Street, which, on account of its
:tions in the shape of rather substantial
:s " and wooden awnings, he compared
rest on a stormy night. Jupiter is the
ed form of the Dutch name Joppit, who
yor about that time.
I Virgil reaches the entrance to Oreus,
1 house, where he encountered a filthy
Barclay ians, who had just returned
. bath in the Holle reservoir. This
ir was a favorite watering place of the
of Barclay, and was situated on the
3f hills now known as Jersey City
5. These Barclayians he designates by
opprobrious epithets of his times.
; within the ticket gate our hero is
1, and falls. He sees a booth beyond,
mediately he buys petrified caramels,
a drops, and ginger ale, and hot coffee,
evidently gripe him, for in the re-
ihce of his agony, he writes, " And
he threshold opposite," etc. But he
asten onward ; and now the slimy
<iver attracts his attention. He starts
to go through the second gate when an old
man slams it in his face. Forthwith a torrent
of abuse springs to Virgil's lips, some of
which abuse he recollects when he comes to
write his poem, in which he makes the gate
keeper out an old tramp. Notice the irony :
" A god's fresh and blooming old age."
Virgil's depicture of the independence of
these old deck hands is very complete. The
fact is, that they will only take a person over if
they like him, and as their tastes are de-
praved, a respectable fellow has very little
chance.
In the present instance, after the pilot has
finished reciting a little piece he learned in
his youth at the Holle kindergarten, he fires
all the common rabble off the old tub, and
takes Virgil and his littU gift on board. Then
he matches denarii with the engineer ; after
which he starts the boat, which is a little out
of repair, not very much worse than it is now.
I have not been able as yet to discover
whether the " boat of sewed hide " refers to
the " Wiekawken " or the ** Rumsey ;" but I
hope at some future time to follow out this
subject with more care. And at that time I
will begin where I now leave oflf — at the
Hoboken River Bath, floating "amid the un-
sightly mire and dark sedge grass."
Chic.
-♦♦♦■
THE WORK OF THE JUNIOR YEAR.
Stevens has enjoyed for some time the
reputation of being the best college of the
kind in the United States. She has educated
men from all parts of the Union, not to speak
of many of other nationalities, to the pro-
fession of mechanical engineering, and will no
doubt turn out many more good engineers.
But the question which proposes itself to
most 6f us is, will she continue to deserve this
reputation ? As things are now, it seems
doubtful. For progress at Stevens seems to
have been for some time at a stand-still, and,
what with the many institutions of the same
chaiacter which are now growing up and
coming into prominence, she will soon find
that she is being left behind. It is to be
hoped, however, that this will not happen
— that the Trustees and Faculty will come to
realize the fact that something must be done,
and that soon, if we wish to retain our present
standing.
The present year has begun and thus far
continued with very little or no promise of
better times, and affairs have been running
138
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
with such a lack of smoothness and system,
that most of us are well nigh disheartened and
tired of work that is so unsatisfactory. The
Junior class is especially unfortunate ; for,
instead of this year being one of particular
interest and advancement, it has, on the con-
trary, brought forth very little so far but dis-
couragement and waste of time.
An examination of the Institute Catalogue
of this year, and especially a glance at the
roster, reveals what to us seems a peculiarly
unfortunate distribution of the work in several
of the departments throughout the four years
of the Institute's course. We do not know
under what circumstances the present arrange-
ment originated, and it may be possible that
some good reasons exist (of which, however,
none but the authorities are aware) for the
sequence of the course as now laid down.
Certain it is, nevertheless, that in the minds
of the larger portion of the students the dis-
tribution of the work is, to say the least, un-
fortunate, if not unwise. This may be said
with particular justice of the work of the
Freshman and Junior years. In the former
case, because the time of the student is so little
occupied, leaving altogether too much leisure ;
in the Junior year, because it is attempted to
crowd too much work, and that, too, of a more
important character, into the limited time at
command. It is impossible to do it justice,
and there is absolutely no time for recreation
or leisure.
As now provided in the roster, the Fresh-
men are occupied with Institute work on only
two afternoons during the week, these being
devoted to shop work. The other afternoons
are entirely unoccupied. It surely cannot be
that this time is designed for purposes of re-
creation alone, for the average Stevens Fresh-
man is, after all, a pretty hardy fellow, who
can, without detriment to either health or
comfort, stand considerably more work than
is required of him at present. It is fair to
assume that he can be required to do at least
as many hours* work per day as is now cus-
tomary at most of the preparatory schools in
the country.
At the risk of assuming a privilege to which
we are not entitled, we would venture to make
a few suggestions which, if carried into effect
in substance or as a whole, might do some-
thing toward giving the Juniors their much
needed relief.
In the first place, it would be well to treat
the subject of land surveying, and to afford
practice in the use of the transit and level in
the field, during the Freshman year,
should be taken up, if not at once, a
immediately after Uie class has complet
study of plan and spherical trigonometi
is then amply prepared to take up sun
applying at once the lessons of the class
in the practical work of the field, and
pying one or two of the now unoccupiei
noons in profitable, as well as pleasai
healthful, work. There is no reas<
think, why this work, so elementary in
acter, is made to occupy the valuable t
the first term in the Senior year, as n
ransed. If this were done, the subj
Resistance of Materials could be tali
during the Senior year, either relievi
Juniors of so much time entirely, or d
abling them to devote more time to am
mechanics.
Again, our chief cause for dissatisfac
the present course in chemistry, and d
no possible reason why this study shoi
be begun, by means of lectures on theo
and general chemistry, and by means <
tations, in the Freshman year, here as a
colleges. The subject of chemistry,
know, is an important one to the stud
engineering, and one to which due
nence should be given at Stevens. Meta
especially of iron and steel, we ought
come familiar with ; but of this subj
really get very little. During three yei
of the four, we have time which we
very profitably devote to the study of
istry. But for some reason, unknown
save perhaps the Faculty, only one o
years, viz., the Junior, is profitably em]
It is time that we take up chemistry
the Sophomore year, but, as at presei
ducted, it is hardly more than a mere in
time. It is the opinion of all that lab
work in qualitative and quantitative a
should be taken up in the Sophomor
thus leaving for the Junior year the st
such si>eciad branches as may be useful
profession, instead of spending it, as
done, in a schoolboy-like squabble for «
It is possible, of course, that the limi
cilities of the Institute would make it
sible to act favorably upon these sugg<
and, if this be so, the matter is mucl:
regretted. But it does seem, to a lar
jority of the students, that the roster
ranged with very little attention to a
and even distribution of the work o
entire course. The complaint is alm<
I versa], and should, if possible, be met,
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
139
^ redistribution of the work will somewhat in-
terfere with the plans and convenience of the
Faculty. It is the sincere wish of all good
Students that the Faculty will soon see the
necessity for action, and make some import-
ant changes for the better, especially with re-
gard to chemistry. R. N. B.
* ^ » >
THE LUBRICATOR : AN OILY
REVELATION.
The fair mud-rut, known as Hudson Street,
stdtered in the noonday sun. So did Mat-
thew, as he piled down the street toward the
Tenerable pile, and swept through the gate
with a sweep that took three cords of pickets
vISl the fence. Now, verily, the day was shop
work day, and Matthew had tarried him more
r dwrn he should at his quail and Rudesheimer.
- When he saw the fodder hour was well nigh
.' passed, he grabbed quickly a smoked herring
^ and piled. Piled him where the merry Sopho-
f more " swynked and labored " with his hands
^ the livelong day, and he held himself aloof and
L did the grunting while they did the sweating.
^ And when he had piled to the full extent of
\^ his piling, he found himself beside the blart-
t eyed piece of mechanism in the shop they call
\ Meapne. The engine looked four distinct
\ ▼arieties of looks as Matthew hove ori the
landscape, and said, reprovingly, "Matthew,
Matthew, where wert thou ? Let not * *arf
and 'arf * call thee from thy post." And every
student eyed him with an eagle eye and said
naught, for all were waiting for " his nibbs."
Then did Matthew sob one big saline drop of
anguish that corroded the brass work on the
■ «gine. " No more," quoth he, " shall I be
late ;•' and he grabbed the bell and started
^p. "Then cryde he * Hor !' and every man-
^i wight " bent to and began again the work
of spoiling lathes and tools and drills and
pbnes and all else that there was to spoil.
Now, Matthew is High Dignitary to the
State of New Jersey and Chief Engine Mover
to the Mayor of Hoboken ; so, to keep his
hand in, he occasionally put in a little practice.
On this occasion he thought it would behoove
him to haul about three thousand pounds of
iion all around the cellar ; so, collecting about
aU the students in the shop, he proceeded
with them to the cellar, where was deposited
«n upright engine. " Now," said Matthew, in
a voice with a trade dollar ring to it, '* eu
fellers 'ave to 'elp me move this hengine."
Then he selected twenty-three men, and said
to each one of them individually, " eu take
*old 'ere and push this road." Then, when
he had them all arranged so as to push one
way, he said, " Let her go slow. Mulligan,"
and those twenty-three men pushed that en-
gine in forty-six consecutive directions, and
when each man found that he wasn't pushing
like any one else, he kicked his neighbor for
not pushing as he did. Then his neighbor
kicked him back, and by the time he got him
kicked back, his neighbor was getting in a
kick for kicking him in the first place. Then
each man tried to shove the engine over on to
some other man, and when every man found
every other man trying to shove it on to some
other man, he immediately tried to pull it
over on to himself ; meanwhile every man
making more noise than Matthew, and Matthew
trying to make more noise than the whole
mob. Now, at the latter disposition of forces,
the old engine said ** ta, ta," and caved in,
every man getting the part he had the best
grip on, and when he didn't have a grip on
anything he got nothing but a big, extreme
bump on the head, which presently heaved up
to the size of a boiled nut. When Matthew
saw his beloved engine cave, he quoted pro-
fusely from profane history and acted real
vexed about it. Matthew did the heavy
and general quoting, while each man got up
a little private quote on his own account, best
suited to his constitution. After surveying
the ruins for about three hours, more or less,
Matthew awoke from his abstraction and said,
" Make 'aste, eu fellers, and gather up those
parts. Eu 'ave no more sense than an owl."
And they piled up the remains gently, and
Matthew wended his way slowly up the step
ladder, sometimes called the stairs, and walked
into the shop to pulverize things generally,
for he had acquired a pulverizing mood in the
cellar.
" Fee, foo, fi, fum," he ejaculated, as he
entered the shop, " I smell the oily Fresh-
man," and he spied afar off the missing
link " making cigarettes on a lathe, and with
meteoric rapidity he laid a heavy hand on the
Freshman and joggled four pounds of tobacco
down a knot hole. ** What's this ?" said
Matthew. **rm doin* a little work here,"
answered the Freshman in a voice like weak
tea. " No one gave you permission to use
this lathe. We can't *ave anything of this
kind ; can't let you work 'ere ; come when
you belong 'ere ; can't come any other time.
Geister heim," and the ** missing link " was
missing. No sooner had he finished with the
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
F. W. DEVOE & CO.,
(KHTAMI.ISllKU IH&'J.)
Mathematical \
Engintteis and Sirrveyors' Supplies,
ARCHITECTS' & DRAUGHTSMEN'S MATERIALS,
ARTISTS- MATERIALS,
on. COLOKS IN TUUKS. WAIKR COI.OKS.
I-INK IJRUSHES,
DRA\V1N<; MATKKIAI.S. STlIlilKS. KTC.
Illuslrated Catalogues on appiicalion.
Cor. FULTON AND WILLIAM STREETS.
Ni:W YollK.
Caranuf^h,
Sandfortl
& Co.,
Hi Wfsl iKUl Slrrrt.
Opti. Oih Avo- lli^wl. NEW YORK.
Pi\|uninH and Underwear.
rixu/iirfy imporh-ii.
18KS, IT Kouiiw, riar a on.)
WHAT IS "TIIK FAKllIOxr'
(ClupMT t.)
All ll,e l.iUst I.,m.t,m luiM
ROGERS, PEET « CO.
CLOTHES, HATS AND SIIUB4,
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
141
ceive the most heat while the upper end of
the tube is kept cool, and it may also be
closed with the finger to prevent air from
entering.
The phenomena which may occur are either
of a physical or chemical nature.
The physical phenomena comprise :
tf. Decrepitation, by which the substance
breaks into a large number of minute parti-
cles, on account of some exceedingly small
portions of water in the substance ; import-
ance should not be attached to this phenom-
ena, as with the same substance it may or may
not occur.
b. Fluorescence, which occurs in several
minerals, and is probably due to some internal
change in the position of the molecules.
c. Evaporation of uncombined water,
which is generally small in amount, so as to
produce simply a misty appearance in the
tube, which need not be considered.
d. A change of color while heating, without
an accompanying chemical reaction.
The chemical phenomena are more import-
ant, and consist of :
«. Charring, which shows the presence of
an organic substance.
h. Simple Decomposition, by which a gas
is given off. This is usually indicated by some
change of color in the substance, or the odor
and color of the liberated gas, and also by its
reaction on litmus paper.
c. Sublimation, which may be complete or
partial, consists in the formation of a white or
colored sublimate in the cooler part of the tube.
d. Expulsion of the water of crystalliza-
tion, which condenses in small drops in the
upper part of the tube, and should be tested
for an acid or alkali by means of litmus paper ;
when the substance is a salt containing much
water, it generally boils in the same.
To illustrate the physical changes, a single
example will suffice. Let a piece of fluor
spar be heated in the tube ; it will decrepi-
tate, change in color to a grayish white and
flnoresce, whicli latter phenomena is best seen
in the dark. No chemical change is produced
by the heating.
Of the chemical changes, the following may
serve as illustrations under the various heads :
a. Charring. Heating some sodium tartrate:
Na, C4 H4 Oe =2 Na HO i- H, O 4- CO,
+ CO + 2 C.
The substance is blackened by the liberated
carbon.
h. Simple decomposition. Heating some
lead carbonate :
Pb CO, = Pb O + CO2
Carbonic acid is given off, and the lead
oxide is red while hot and yellow when cold.
Heating some spathic iron ore :
3 Fe COs = Fej 04 + 2 CO, 4- CO
The ore being light brown, changes to
black and becomes magnetic.
Heating some lead nitrate :
Pb Ng Oe = Ng 64 + O + Pb O
Characteristic odor and color of the nitrous
oxide fumes are produced.
Heating some ammonium sulphate :
Am, SO4 = 2 Am 4- SO3
Indicated its odor and coloring litmus from
red to blue, and red again when the SO 3 begins
to act.
Heating some manganese dioxide :
Mn Og = Mn O + O
The oxygen is indicated by the glow pro-
duced when a piece of charcoal is introduced
into the tube.
c. Complete sublimation takes place with
salts of ammonium, arsenic or mercury, which
form a white sublimate in the cooler part of
the tube ; to decompose the substances con-
taining these elements, cover the substance in
the bottom of the tube about Jjj^ inch high
with dried soda, and heat gently at first ; the
ammonium will be indicated by its odor and
changing moistened red litmus to blue. Arsenic
forms a black mirror in the interior of the
tube above the soda, while the mercury forms
small globules which may be seen through a
lens or combined into one large globule by
rubbing with a stick of wood, or else, if the
quantity is very small, a piece of gold leaf
may be amalgamated by the mercury, and
thus, by its change of color, proving the pres-
ence of the latter element.
Partial sublimation takes place when the test
substance contains one or more volatile ele-
ments, either combined or mixed with one or
more involatile elements ; when combined,
however, the volatije element must be present
in a higher proportion than it is entitled to by
its equivalents ; the extra molecule of the
volatile element is but lightly attached, and
therefore easily separated.
The sublimates are usually colored, and are
produced when the subtances contain sulphur,
arsenic-sulphide, antimony-sulphide, arsenic,
mercury-sulphide and mercury.
Heating some iron pyrites :
Fe Sg = Fe S + S.
The sulphur condenses in brown drops in
the middle of the tube, and becomes yellow
on cooling. When sulphur and arsenic are
present, the sulphide of arsenic which is pro-
THE STEVE MS fNDrCATOR.
Stevens Institute of Technolo[
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING,
POUNDED BY THE LATE EDWU* A. STEVENS.
HOBOKEN, N. J.
RBNR7 MORTON. Ph. D.,
ALFRED M. MAYER, Ph. D.,
DE VOLSON WOOD, C. E..
j. BUBKITT WEBB, C E.,
t. W, MtCOPD, AW,
ALBERT k i.f^rri^ pii n
CH/i • - ■■•■!.
REV
. Pcol. M«cii. Ennince
Pcof. Mith. iuiil Mcclu
Prof. UecA. DmW
. Prof, C ^
Prof. I
PreC r
HroC. ot ExjietiiaMiUl MKlMnlca '^ofl
0)<n<>(>iri 111'' pi=';ii'-»I km.w !«J,-- i% »;T□^lt■^, Fo: i^dhcr (iiiv._ili.t. *':i!i>--. ■:.- t'if.t^cfj!.
H. MORTOS, Hobolcen- N.?
STEVENS HIGH SCHOOL.
THE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT
— or TiiK —
STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,
mVER STREET, bet. 3>.h and 6th. HOBOKEU, N.
OPENS SEPTEMBER i&, 1885.
4
BxamlnfttlooB lor AAnilselon on thd l4Lh ftud iStb of Sepcamferi
FULL COURSES OF STUDY, PREPARATORy TO SCHOOLS OF SCIENCE AKD COLL€Gi
4
JUNIOR DEPARTMENT, • •
SENIOR DEPARTMENT, • -
ThA«a tcctnn tnoludM all tliM atudtva.
■ S7a.OO PER ANNUM.
- SIOO.OO PER ANNUM.
For Cataloriva &Dpllr to ibs XJlmilAn at Stairsni InaUcut#.
f..
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
n^he Stevei^g Inelieatop.
mfc OF tMM wamvn, ounw the ullem year.
INDICATOR PUBLISHING COMPANY,
^veoft iQ^te of TBi^oolQjd.
Extra tMti earn it tttaimeJ at Lmlkitit t»»k tttrt,
Subttribtrt wiU pleatt imnu^utofy ne/i/ii ui »f onf
ciaiue in Ikeir aJdrtttet er /ailurt It rttetvt Ihep^tt
TKt viriUr'i full name, ai well at Kit noh DB PLUUm
mtui aitemtany Iht artiete, at atsumnee of good failk
and nliaHlily ; 6nl it will nal it fuiHiAed, tmleit dturtd.
ExcMangei, caittriiulionj, lubitripHeiu, advtrtittmattt
and all olhtr efmmnniealitin by mail, shfuld btaddrtnld
to The Stkvins Indicator, Slevens InsHtmlt, HUektn,
N.J.
^yPHO has never felt the pang of parting
>^ from one lie has learned to esteem and
love? And how great must be his wmnr
when obliged to part forever ! Aye, can ail
of you comprehend that word in its entire
meaning ? To part forever ! Even now are
we preparing for one of these heartrending
separations — a separation that knows no end,
not even in that glorious future of the prom-
ised land. For twelve months has it been
our daily companion ; for twelve continuous
months has it shared our woes and our pleas-
ures, our failures and our successes. Shall we
not, at least for a moment, revert to all its
kindnesses, its faithfulness and its blessing?
No t Man's ingratitude o'erleaps itself ; and
although he owes this friend all, and could not
have existed without him, he lends his hand to
strike the last blow at that faithful breast.
Worse than that light hearted race that cheer-
ed, le rot est mart I vive le rot! he will soon
exclaim, without even mentioning the dead :
Long live the new year !
Let us, at least, be more thoughtful. Well
known as the past year is to us, shall we think
less of it because the new one veils with an
impenetrable shroud an unknown future,
pregnant, perchance, with an awful fate, per-
chance with smiling loveliness ? Shal! wc
spurn (he old year because it has become ab-
solutely useless, and shall we throw it into ihe
darksome floods nf Lelhe without a momenl's
golden memory and a grateful recollection?
The dying year of eighty-five has done its tin)'
share in the grand work of eternity. Count-
less are the blessings it has showered on
mankind ; numerous as the fleet seconds thai.
following each other like head on bead, have
formed this shining siring. But, we hear ihc
pessimist exclaim, did it not come filling this
small and shallow chasm between the two
eternities, wirh promises more nulnerous and
bright than those it has kept ? Nay ! he says ;
let it (lit by, as many have done before, andii
many shall do after it ; beware ! expect noi
too much from the false smiles of the baby
year, come to supplant the old, and continue
lo decoy man by its vacant promises. Suffici«l
unto the year is the evil thereof ! Yes, indeed,
we answer ; but the good it has done us, wc
must remember. Kind reader, when, on Nt*
Year's Eve you will wail anxiously for the
death of this old friend, and balance up your
accounts, charge all the good lo the dying
poor and all the bad lo yourself. For, remeiii-
ber, that just as time promises to turn tlie
leaf, so you have often resolved, or promisttl
to your.self, to do the same. Happiness conns
to him that will receive her ! Still, if human
wishes can do aught for you, perhaps iti cheer-
ing you up for the coming struggle, receive
ours that come from the heart and cannot help
but reach yours, A happv new veab! -^a<»
may the next year prove one of more prosper-
ity, not only to you, but (excuse our selfish-
ness) also to the Indicator.
^W^E put rat poison on the turkey dresang
Vi/ of the compositor who forfeited his
life at our hands for writing years instwd of
gears, in connection with Prof. McConl's
name; also for making us say, "Now, sub-
scribers," instead of " n on -subscribers." ]
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
'45
THE GLEE CLUB.
Glee Club has reorganized and is now
ing regularly. At a meeting recently'
was decided to have no outside musi-
ector, it being thought that the club
be an affair of the students, rather than
lar outside affair. Consequently, the
11 proceed this year, under the leader-
Mr. Cotiart, whose popularity among
dents, we are sure, will recommend the
lb to all of us as an institution which
be supported by the united force of
ege. It is hoped to give one concert
oken, this season, for the students and
lends. To make this a success, it is
id that all should lend a helping hand,
ng to the old rule, that the success of a
enterprise concerns each student's per-
onor.
ugh the courtesy of the officers of the
Men's Christian Association, the Glee
is the use of the V. M. C. A. rooms for
actise, twice a week. The hall is large
ssesses great advantages for singing, so
actise proceeds rapidly and success-
The club wish here to express their
to the officers of the association for
ndness.
Glee Club has been greatly strength-
lis year by the addition of two more
on each part, thus making the total
in the club somewhat over twenty-
The membership has not been settled
that we are not able, in this issue, to
the names.
Editors of the Induater :
ne call attention to a matter which has
seemed to me disagreeable, to say the
It is the way in which visiting teams
ted by students. I do not mean Ste-
en only, for I believe it is an almost
al habit, Cheerftig is always one sided;
rse when there is a decision on the pare
feree which does not suit the home
That unfortunate one is hissed, even
advice from the on lookers, in a body.
^ou hear cries from several in concert;
\ of remarks. Perhaps, it is thought the
will be encouraged, but it shows its
at such remarks seemingly in vain.
The custom seems to prevail on the foot
ball field alone. At lacrosse or base ball one
very seldom hears any such things, and there
seems to me to be no reason for it at any
game. We all like to see good playing in any
game, and it does not seem fair to give credit
to that made by one's favorites alone.
K.
Everything in perfect order. Smooth work
in all parts of the engine. A little too much
"cushioning" in the Freshman class. The
Professor of Engineering regaining his cus-
tomary strength. Theses half finished; Seniors,
too! Examination here ! Spirits high, marks
low! Sophomores orderly and quiet; Juniors
eating, drinking, sleeping, dreaming, working,
etc., by day and by night, from Monday till
Sunday, in the Chemical Laboratory; stagna-
tion in the S. S. S. Not oil enough in the
Glee Club, and consequently too much noise,
and no real work ! The Freshmen that have
been distilled over from the H. S., practising
for wire pullers, and future political bosses!
Thanksgiving after exam.! ' Graphical Stat-
ics " made very clear.
Still engine needs rest. Mud in the boiler ?
Turn the rascals out! Will come back next
year. Make your resolutions early, and keep
them late. Do not waste fuel or gas. Go
home and eat enough to keep you alive till
Easter ! Be merry ! So long !
The foot ball season closed with the game
played Saturday, November 28, 1885, and the
Indicator wishes to make a few observations,
hoping that some of the suggestions will be
carried out by future teams.
There can be nothing but praise for the
spirit displayed by the team, and the manner
in which they have faithfully worked. The
Indicator noted at the commencement of the
season that the men from which a team was
to be selected were of the best, and now, at
146
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
the close, we see each man developed into a
good player.
Still, some one asks. Why the defeats they
have suffered ? and we propose to answer.
A team, let it be ever so good, needs more
than its own strength to win games; it should
receive that support from the management
that will make each individual of the eleven
feel that his best interests and the success of
the team are thoroughly cared for. This sup-
port was not given, and the result, naturally,
was repeated defeats. Without exception, the
choice of referee, the point of most im*
portance, was either neglected entirely, or else
attended to at such a late hour as to be of no
avail. But once during the whole season did
we have a referee who was thoroughly conver-
sant with the game, and he was obtained
through the efforts of the captain of the
eleven.
The men whose business it was to select a
referee utterly failed in every instance, and
every one knows that to put a team in the
field with an inefficient judge is but coveting
defeat.
Is it necessary to point to the Lafayette
game, or to the Pennsylvania game, to con-
vince one of the fact of the negligence of the
officers of the Association ?
It was folly for the eleven to play against
such odds, and they deserve the greatest credit
for remaining in the field throughout the sea-
son.
Captain Hart should have refused to finish
the Lafayette game. The rights of the eleven
are to be considered before all else.
The only point open to criticism in the team
was the captain's failing to coach his men
during the game. Each man played a splen-
did individual game, but their efforts would
prove of no value, as the team needed judi-
cious directing during the progress of the
game.
Pennsylvania.
Played on the Stevens ground,*?, Saturday*
November 7, 1885. The game was called at
10:30 a. m. Stevens scored the first point, a
touch down by Capt. Hart, he carrying the
ball from mid field to the universities* goal.
In quick succession the university made three
touch downs, time being called, with the
points 18 to 4, in favor of Pennsylvania. In
the second half, Stevens played a faultless
game, forcing the ball well down into Penn-
sylvania's territory. The points scored dur-
ing the half were touch downs for Pennsyl-
vania, and goal from field for Stevens, the
game ending with Pennsylvania wini
points, to 9 for Stevens.
The referee, unfortunately, was nc
quainted with the rules of the gat
great deal of dissatisfaction was caus
decisions.
Rutgers.
A game was arranged with Rutger
urday, November 14, 1885, the resul
correspondence and personal interv
even this did not deter them from ba
within a few days of the game. It
ably another off year with them, and
ferred breaking the engagement with
and playing Lehigh, choosing a po!
tory rather than a sure defeat. Bu
WHIPPED Rutgers! What a con
Lehigh, with her persuasive orators
ping to argue at each decision, remii
of a pack of noisy children; and
athletic Rutgers. Do they teach tli
of morality at New Brunswick ?
Lafayette.
The return game was played on
grounds, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1885
putting her best men in the field, wi
termination to send the visitors horn
solate. The game was well played
sides, but Stevens clearly had the a
Cotiart made the first touch down b
did run. Lafayette shortly scored
down, after two decisions by the ref<
During the half, Stevens made
touch downs, the score standing: S
Lafayette 6.
Play being resumed, Cotiart mad
fine run. passed the ball to Campbell
ried it to Lafayette's line, where C
made a touch down. From a punt
bell, Kawn obtained a free kick aboi
tre of the field. From here he mad(
well merited point. From now on t
played thq game, and between hi
knowledge of the game and his de
impartial, he gave Lafayette thi
downs. (Considering the referee waj
tute man, Lafayette had reason to
late themselves ! A game that was
edged to be a victory for Stevens, i
heartening to lose through the mista
individual.
A great many ladies, friends and
of the Institute, witnessed the funeri
Lehigh.
Saturday, November 21, 1885. Le
down from Bethlehem and present*
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
'47
fine appearance that doubts were entertained
as to the result of the game.
The game was free from roughness, and
consumed nearly the whole afternoon, the
visitors assuming alternately the functions of
a foot ball and a debating society. It was
decided by a kicking game, but Lehigh
" winded," and Stevens won by zo points
to 4.
C. C. N. y.
The first time for many years we met our
old friends. Their team lacked practice, but
has several good players. Stevens worked
hard through the whole game, and won
magnificently— 162 to o — the largest score
ever made on the foot.
Brooklyn Hills.
Saturday, November 28, 1885, the final
game of the season was played. The visitors
presented a good team.
The game was lively throughout, the Brook-
lyn men tackling splendidly, and the Stevens
teani surprising themselves by several good
Sheldon's running and dodging was the
feature of the game. In the first half Stevens
secured touch downs, T. Hart kicking two fine
goals. In the second half Brooklyn was
forced to make a safety score by points.
Stevens, 14, Brooklyn, o.
'77-
Edward a. Wehlinc has been elected a
loember of the American Institute of Mining
Engineers.
■78.
Richard Gerner, B. O. T., died of con-
sumption, July 30, at his residence at Houns-
low, Middlesex, England, aged 29 years.
Brown Avres. — With the change of the
University of Louisiana into the Tulane Uni-
versity of Louisiana, Prof. Ayres has also been
transferred, and now holds the chair of phys-
i« and astronomy.
'79-
Kellv-Kennedv. — A charming wedding
w« celebrated in Hoboken, N. J., on Tues-
% October 27. Mr. James F. Kelly, the
eleclrician of the Electrical Supply Company,
"M married by the Rev. P. Corrigan to Miss
Julia Kennedy, daughter of the late John
Kennedy, for many years County Clerk of
Hudson County. After the ceremony at the
church, the young couple held a reception at
the residence of the bride's sister, Mrs. Roh-
der, only the relatives of the contracting par-
ties being present. — New York Sunday Times.
Henrv F. Dawes is chemist at the Port
Henry Iron Works, Port Henry, N. Y.
'82.
Edmund P. Lord is in the Department of
Tests, Pennsylvania R.R., at Altoona, Pa,
In our October number a typographical error
occurred, making us say Law, '8z.
'83-
Randolph, who, since his graduation, has
been Superintendent of the Testing Depart-
ment of the Erie R.R., at Susquehanna, Pa.,
has recently been appointed as General Man-
ager of the Florida R.R. and Navigation
Co.'s Railroad, with headquarters at Fernan-
dina, Fla.
L. S. Randolph is Master Mechanic of the
Florida Railway and Navigation Co., at Fer-
nandina, Fla.
■84.
William H. Bristol is appointed In-
structor of Mathematics, at Stevens Institute
of Technology, commencing with next term.
H. DeB. Parsons is .Mechanical Engineer
and Marine Architect, at 35 Broadway, New
York.
■85.
E. MuNKWiTZ is with E. P. Allis & Co.,
Reliance Machine Works, Milwaukee, Wis.
Bone, boys, bone!
" Take another color."
Our niybtery — Chem-mystery.
Are you ready for the questions ?
A merry Christmas and happy Nei
148
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
Query : Where is the laboratory price list ?
"Now let us tore about the effects of a
tore."
Die Anna Lise and Lepold were married
last month.
United they stand, divided they fall — B-t-s
and his bag.
Look through the advertisements in the In-
DiCATOR, and get your presents ready.
''The green and the red forces are in equi-
librium." Does he mean the Irish and Eng-
lish?
We recommend to the "class in surveying"
to invest in a type writer, with different col-
ored ink. .
Searching for an unknown : Looking for a
Senior who knows what subject to take for
his thesis.
Prof. Denton was seen in the " library *' one
day last month. Verily, truth is stranger
than fiction.
And now the eyebrows are flourishing on
the upper lips of the Freshmen. Won't they
surpnse ma?
" Yes, sir; there are two maximums, only
one maximum is more maximum than the
other maximum!"
Vanderbilt should not sit behind Capt. Hart
in class, as even when he stands up it is hard
for the Professor to find him.
The Juniors have just finished the subject
of cribwork. Some classes are well up on it,
even in their first examination.
In heaven above,
Where all is love,
There'll be no chemistry there.
Preserve seems to be the most industrious
man in the Senior class, judging from the
manner in which he fills the black board.
The Juniors were all smiles when the Pro-
fessor read to them " Smiles* Lives of Engi-
neers." What lots of spare time we have.
Prof. : " What kinds of machinery are used
for raising building materials ?"
S. : " Derricks, cranes and — hod carriers."
A specimen comment :.
" Professor, 1 think he did not give the sym-
bol right ; it is Na^ .1 Na„ — a something
cur
Some of the Freshmen have begi
canes. They are probably afraid of
in for tramps if caught without a vis
of support.
We wish those Sophs, that are 1
carpentry would not try to find th<
tion of a plane with the grindstom
ways bad for the plane.
Prof. : " Mr. G., describe a hydrc
Mr. G.: "A hydrometer is a hoi
thing."
Prof.: " So is the earth. Next."
There are at present sixty studc
Freshman cldss. A curious indivi
us the other day whether we thou^l
of them would remain till graduatic
Mr. Ballantine took a picture of '
think is hard to beat ; of course,
remarkably fine looking class to s
made his task easier ; still, he des<
credit.
The Freshman that sent us the
story, entitled "Mamma's Tree,'*
the manuscript with our "extreme :
he searches our waste basket or
postage.
Prof. : " What is the zero of the
scale ?"
Student : " Why, it's the zero."
Class applauds, and temperature
rises to the blushing point.
Prof. Wood has demonstrated th<
the temperature of space is only
the absolute zero. This tends to
the Esquimau's idea of sheol is
nearer the truth than ours.
Attention, Juniors ! Buy the r
"The Complete Commentator,"
W-e-t-ey & Co. Filled with the ra
comments, showing deep research ir
of chemistry. Price, 75 cents.
Prof. : " Yes ; some clay banks
treacherous. When dry, they will
most perpendicular ; but, when so
fall very easily." Junior (whisper
neighbor) : Just like some men.
By the manner in which " Deacc
the foot ball field during a game, w
must be working for a position r
Deac. would not look bad in a whit
and a cotton umbrella under his ar
he?
THE STEVEN^ INDICATOR.
149
The Seniors have " finished " with turbines
and will continue thermodynamics for the rest
of the winter; it is thought that the latter will
prove more congenial, helping to keep them
awake and warm throughout the longer winter
nights.
No longer will the Hobokeni/^jj^j be dis-
turbed in their peaceful meanderings through
the classic streets of this town, by an indis-
creet telescope whose line of collimation
passes through their hearts and a Senior's
searching eye!
" Inertia is a remembrance of the ignorance
of the past.*' It is defined as passiveness.
Thus, if we pour water into a barrel, the bar-
rel remains passive. Junior's version : If we
pour beer into a Hobokenite, the Hobokenite
remains passive.
Prof, of Chemistry, lecturing on oil of vit-
riol—" I dropped some on the cover of a book
some years ago, and it still seems to absorb
moisture from the surrounding tissue. In fact,
I may say, that this peculiar physical property
fuvtr ceases to stop*'
It was the first game of football she had
seen, and it horrified her to hear the players
cry "Held!" She turned to the mild-eyed
youth at her side and said: " George, could
you not induce the young men to say sheol ;
it's so much more cultured, you know."
"Question 87" — Grand double shuffle by
^7- Professor looks scared, and class stuff
handkerchiefs in their mouths, get down be-
'^ind their collars and look daggers at their
"Jote books. A member of the class explains.
"ofessor's looks relax into a broad smile,
^'^d he proceeds to write.
^rof., to Mr. M., who has been talking to
*^>s neighbor : " Mr. M., can you explain
that ?"
Mr. M.: " No, sir; I can't understand that
^^ the book."
^rof.: " Well, manifestly tain't the fault of
^^ book," and gives him zero.
Mrhat frightens the Senior by night and by day ?
M^hat makes him shudder with awful dismay?
It scares all his wits — not that he has many —
Bat losing them all, he will not have any.
He walks in a nightmare at every hour ;
And sleeps wiih a day dream like Byron's Giaour.
To be in that terror, 'pon honor, no bliss is —
The poor fellow's thoughts run dry on his thesis.
Two Students met on the ferry boat the
^^W day. " It's a high tide," says one of
^^ to the other, and went on explaining all
i about the relations between the moon and
I ^be tide in a most elementary manner. " You
see it is this way — you are an '89 man, aren't
you ?" " No," repled the other, " I'm an '87
man."
Exit Soph., very crestfallen, while Junior
chuckles.
Professor (in calculus recitation, to student
who has worked example on board incor-
rectly): "What value did you find for u in the
first equation ?"
Student — *W plus 2 ab.**
Prof. — " Substituting, in the final equation,
that made you equal zero (« — o), did it not?"
Student— *' Yes, sir."
Class indulge in mirth; but the professor,
placing a "goose egg" opposite the name of
student, doesn't see the joke.
We are glad to see the commenting, as
formerly carried on in the Junior class,
stopped. It has been the source of much ill-
feeling and unfair play, and, in one instance
at least, made such an impression on a stu-
dent that he felt obliged to continue it in an-
other department. Thinking that the loads
likely to be placed upon a bridge had not been
fully stated by a classmate, he informed the
Professor that "something had been omitted;
sometimes elephants cross a bridge. He was
immediately sat upon.
He was a gay hearted youth, with blond
down on his upper lip, and he hummed an
air from the " Mikado," as he tripped lightly
into a Washington Street store, in search of a
piece of music.
" I would like * Only to See Her Face
Again,* " said he to the good, matured looking
German in attendance.
" You can see her, and you can haf her. I
marry dot girl now six months, and I don't
got no more hair on mine hed any more.
Oh, yah ! Lena ! Lena ! come right away
quick here."
Professor Leeds delivered a short but very
interesting discourse to the Junior class on the
subject of phosphorus in the human system.
How much better it would be for the mem-
bers of the class to cease picking each other
to pieces with miserable little comments and
give the Professor a chance to lecture to us.
In this way those who do not care to com-
ment would spend the time with profit and
enjoyment to themselves ; whereas, now they
are obliged to sit and listen to a certain few
who seem to think that a thorough knowledge
of chemistry lies in being able to tell the Pro-
fessor that " Mr. so and so said water ^ while
the book says H O^y
>50
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
K<.')^if</
The Vassar Miscellany says : " The Sopho-
mores entertained the Freshw^« in the college
parlors, etc."
We notice in the Tech, an article on " Stu-
dent Life in Heidelburg," which is both in-
structive and interesting.
The Junior class of Massachusetts Institute
of Technology is to publish an anjiual called
" Technique,*' about Christmas time.
In the account of the Lafayette-Stevens
foot ball game, the Lafayette says : " The
playing of Coliart, Gilchrist and Hart was
especially noticeable."
In Sweden a divorce may be obtained by
a wife from her husband if she can prove he
is an inebriate or that he has been twice con-
victed of drunkenness."
Mechanics for November has an illustrated
paper on the ** Isle of Wight Steam Ferry."
As a novel use of commonplace mechanical
arrangements, this ferry is noteworthy.
The Argonaut says that it is too much trou-
ble to open tightly rolled exchanges. To be
sure it is some trouble, but we would never
exchange with such a worthless i)aper as that.
Hereafter the exchanges will be placed upon
the table in the library. Wc hope that the
students will notice the Indicator stamp on
the papers and return them to the tables after
reading them.
Two of the W. T. I's. so-called " Scientific
Notes " are worth repeating : " According to
W. Schinkewitsch, a new genus of fleas, the
Vermipsylla Alakurty has been discovered.
Heaven defend us! "
The Beacon has appeared again in its at-
tractive dress, after a long, long absence. This
absence, we suspect, is due to the faulty man-
agement of our exchange column some time
ago. We hope, however, that the Beacon will
continue to visit us.
The Chironian^ a sixteen page bi-weekly,
comes regularly to our table. The articles are
mostly written by professors and graduates,
and embody the results of their experience.
h.
le
<s
^f
^t
lie
We are not at all surprised that such a
able paper should be copyrighted.
Students are admitted into Michigan U- ^ni-
versity upon the presentation of satisfactczzury
diplomas from their respective schools, i he
system is said to work well. The Univers idty
is hunting around for a new medical buildic — ig,
an art hall, and larger recitation rooms.
We were taken by surprise when we recei\ — ^d
the Eclipse for October. It has taken uc^ to
itself a new cover, and the typography sho-
marked improvement. We were particula-
impressed with a beautiful specimen of rhyl
mic prose entitled, "Virgil's Prophecy."
The Virginia Literary Magazine is bef
us, TiViA we are enjoying a treat in the peni
of the articles, among which are " The Lo^
of the Poets," ** The Ancient City," and
oration entitled " A Congress of Nation:
In this last the author shows a great deal
ingenuity in tracing out the early attempts
such a federation, and in predicting the peai
ful times to come, when, as he quotes,
. . . . ** the war drums throb no longer, and
battle flags are furled,
In the parliannent of man, the federation of ^"^
world."
The De Pauw Monthly comes to us witH a
new cover. It is also more literary in a-P'
pearance. We object, however, to the unc^J^
pages. This, for a college paper, seems too
much like forwardness. It seems as if, in ol-
der to be literary, it Mere necessary to \t^^'^
the pages uncut; " it's English," etc. Besid*^
this, it is very inconvenient. We were ^^
pleased with the cover that we sat down ^'^^
the expectation of finding cause for congr^t^'
lation within the covers. It reminds us of ^^^
time when we gave up eating hickory n^^^'
because, while the meat was very good, it '^'^
too much trouble to ])ick it out.
There is still running on the Western ^"^
Atlantic Road, in Georgia, hauling a passen^^
train, the old locomotive. General, which, ^^^
Railroad Gazette says, was the pursued V^^^l
in one of the most exciting chases on record-
The locomotive was carried off by a sma/^
party of Federal scouts during the war, whilt^
the engineer and firemen were at dinner, and
the train was stopping at Big Shanty. The
pursuit was kept up for over loo miles before
the engine was finally recaptured, and she was
was only abandoned when entirely out of fuel
and water, and the journal bearings had been
almost entirely melted out, the supply of oi\
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
having also lun out. In the chase, this General
and the pursuing engine probably made the
fastest time ever run on a southern road,
although all parties were too much engaged in
the business on hand to keep any record of
the actual speed. — Ex.
The Stevens battery, built during the war,
cost $4,700,000. It never touched the water.
Wheosold it brought $55,000. It cost 831,000
to break it up. The wood work was the finest
Georgia pine, in a high state of preservation.
That used in the sides of the hull was 5 feet 6
inches. These were dovetailed together and
secured by bolts 4 feet long. In and around
these creosote was packed in large quantities,
and, although this wood had been in place for
more than twenty years, it was found to be in
better condition than when freshly cut. All
the skill of the workmen and the strength of
the tools could not force the layers apart, and
the work was finally done by burning. It was
found to be exceedingly dry and susceptible
of high polish, and a large quantity of it has
been used in the new cottages built and build-
ing on the south shore of Long Island.
In the hold were two engines of 6,000 horse
power, each made expressly for twin screws.
They were sold to the works whence they
rame. In addition to the two propelling en-
g>Des there were sixteen auxiliary engines,
»hieh were taken to coal mines in Pennsyl-
"nia, where they are still used.
GAS ENGINES ts. STEAM ENGINES.
In an article extolling the good qualities of
R*5 engines Denny Lane says, in the English
"With such advantages, it may be asked :
^^ does not the gas engine everywhere
'[ipciMde the steam engine ? My answer is a
simple one : The gas we manufacture is a
litir fuel compared with coal. ' Ordinary coal
Ps taeasures 30 cubic feet to the pound ;
'Mo cubic feet, therefore, weighs 33 lbs.;
"id taking the price at 2%. gd. per 1000 cubic
feet, it costs id. per lb. The 30 cubic feet at
"300 give 190,000, all available heat. Al-
'^f^ good coal may yield 14,000 units by
'ts combustion, only about 11,000 of these
tach the boiler ; so that the ratio of the use-
ful heat is -H- The thermal efficiency of the
'^t QOD condensing engine to that of the gas
engine is in the ratio 4i\. Multiplying t
gether these two ratios, we get
19 jai 4.28.
" That is, speaking roughly, 1 pound of
gas gives about ten times as much power
as J pound of coal does in a good non
condensing engine. But at i8s. id. a ton
we get 10 pounds of coal for id.; so that
with these figures the cheapness of the coal
would just compensate for the efficiency of
the gas. As to the waste heat passing away
from tlte engine being utilized, here the gas
engine has no advantage ; and so far as this
is concerned, the gas is about eight times
dearer than coal. The prices of gas and coal
vary so much in different places, it is hard
to determine in what cases gas or coal will be
the dearer fuel, considering this point alone."
■ A temperature of 570° will produce a dark
blue color on polished steel, and 590" a pale
blue. Oil or grease of any kind will answer
for drawing the temper of cutlery. The tem-
per for lancets is obtained at 430° F., axes at
500", swords and watch springs at 530", small
saws at 570", and large saws at 500°. Copper
colored spots are not produced by tempering,
but they may be obtained on the polished sur-
face of steel by immersing the article in a
solution of sulphate of copper.
A NEEDED REFORM.
Air- Til fVilhw.
There are some men in the R, P. Institute.
Reform it, reform it, reform it,
Whom a. certain custom does not at all suil,
Reform it, reform it, reform it.
This business of copying notes each day.
Which takes up his lime from his studies and play,
Mikes each Senior angry, and leads him to say
Reform it, reform it, reform it
lu favor of printing them every m
He should do it, should do it, should do it.
These men need att their time lo do other things,
Besides spendiog it in work which no proRt brings;
And that's why each member of '86 tings
He should do it, should do it, should do it.
— Trey Pofyt.
THB STEVENS INDICATOR.
F. W. DEVOE & CO.,
(ESTABL.t8Ht:D leas,)
Jathem/tigal Instruments,
Eng[>neets and Smveyo's' Suppliss,
ARCHITECTS' k ORAUGHTSMBN'S MATERIALS,
ARTISTS' MATERIAL'S,
OIL COLORS IN TUBES. WATER COLORS.
FINE BRUSHES,
DRAWlNr, MATERIALS, STUDIES. ETC.
Illuilrated Catalogues on applicition.
COR. FULTON AND WILLIAM STREETS.
NKW YOUK.
Canma({h,
Sundfortl
4' Co.,
Ill Wrsi 33d Struct,
r.tli Avo Howl. NEW YORK.
and Underwear.
All Ike latest London Fabrics regularly imported.
3^ January, 1886.
Ro. I.
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STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOC
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JUNIOR DEPARTMENT,
SENIOR DEPARTMENT,
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- SI50.00 PER ANNU.ft''.
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HOBOKEN, N. J., JANUARY, 1886.
No. z.
'WINTER SONG.— FOR JANUARY.
FROM THE GERMAN.
Not a flower is to be seen ;
But the hardy wintergreen,
Peeping through its silver veil,
Shivers sadly in the ^ale ;
And its ruddy berries glow,
Ripening upon the snow.
Ah ! BO song of happy bird
In the wild wood now is heard ;
Bat the mouse's winter cry
To our ears come sounding high,
As it runs around and round,
Seeking food upon the ground.
I.0Ye has left his favorite wood
Where the little birds abode ;
Where the green shade gave them rest,
Each within his mossy ncsl.
Love prefers a chamber warm
To the peltings of the storm.
Coldest month of all the year,
I defy thy ragings here ;
To my love sports I can steal.
Where thy frost I never feel.
Rule forever — I've no fear.
Coldest month of all the year.
G. P. QUACKENBOS.
».4 » »
OUR PROFESSION IN DANGER.
There has been a great deal of discussion
'^'^g on lately among mechanical men, as to
tiat the title of M. E. means, and to whom it
applicable. There is published, in the ex-
^^^gt column, a letter in regard to this sub-
'Ct, which appeared in the Mechanical Engi-
^^^' Truly, our profession is in danger of
cteriorating, when we read a statement like the
allowing, and are unable to deny it : " Any
?€ who chooses can write the title M. E.
^^p his name — stage carpenter or stage
^ver." Soon the man who manipulates the
^^eet sweeper will sign his name (if, indeed,
5 is able to write), Patrick O'Hoolihan, M.
'• It looks well in print, doesn't it ?
The reasons for such a loose state of affairs
•"e these: i. Comparatively few people un-
derstand what an M. E. really is. 2. There
is a disposition among a great many to steal
any titles which are not defined by law, and to
appropriate them to their own gain. 3. The
objection is urged that, if the title M. E. is
confined too strictly within its real significa-
tion, men well known in the mechanical field
will be forced to drop the title which they
(very properly, I think) use. ,
In the November Indicator was published
a letter by William Kent, M. E., to the Ameri-
can Machinist, Mr. Kent, one of the most
prominent graduates in the engineering pro-
fession, has, in a very clear way, shown what
the title means. I quote.: " ist. That the letters
M. E. mean not that the man /V a piechanical
engineer by viitue. of his having labored as
such, but that he possesses a diploma confer-
ring the degree of mechanical engineer, which
diploma has been conferred upon him by a
college having authority by law to confer such
a degree. 2d. That no other person has any
legal or moral right to use them. 3d. That,
while there may be no penalty * * *
the man who uses them (/. ^., the letters M.
E.), and who is not the possessor of a legally
conferred diploma, which entitles him to use
them, is guilty of a wilful deception of the
public."
The popular opinion is, that the mechani-
cal engineer is one thoroughly acquainted with
machinery, and that, therefore, any one in-
cluded in this class may write the letters M.
E. after his name. Now, all this is radically
wrong. A man may sign himself a mechanical
engineer. There is no penalty provided by
law if he fails to produce a diploma authoriz-
ing his use of the title. There should be
legislation on this subject.
A man, calling himself a doctor, may ad-
minister the wrong medicine, and kill one
human being. Forthwith, the law is made
strict, and a heavy penalty imposed upon any
one practising medicine or using the title M.
D. without a diploma. But, when a boiler
bursts, or a great railroad accident occurs, the
public is so occupied with reading the list of .
killed and wounded, and censuring the cor-
poration and its employees, that all forget en-
THE STEVENS IND/CA'J OR.
tirely the incompetent man whosujjerintunded
some point of mechanical construction, and
through Hliose incompelemy so many livL-s art
lost, Thi.' corporation is not blamable for
aught more than a mistaken notion of what
constitutes a. mechanical engineer. The homt-
cide wrott M. E. after his name, and the cor
poration employed him without demanding
his diplonia. In the first instance 1 mentioned,
one life ia lost, and ihii result is active legisla-
tion ; io ihe laiicr instance, many lives are
lost, but the culprit is forgotten, if, indeed, he
was ever thought of. Highly consistent, I
must say.
But it is urged against any attempt at legis-
lation, as I have said before that men well
known in the mechanical field will then be
forced to drop their titles. This argument has
no force to it, as I can verj- soon prove. In
the first place if we consider twenty men who
are honorably practising the profession of en-
gineering, we will find but one or two of the
twenty who write M. £. after their names. In
the second place, we assume that the legisla-
tion is to be wise legislation. Such legislation
would provide that " each graduate of a
mechanical school shall receive a diploma con-
ferring upon him the degree of M. £. provided
that said mechanical school be authorized by
law to confer said diploma upon its graduates.
Any mechanical school authorized by law to
confer diplomas conferring the degree M.
E. upon the recipient of such diploma, shall
be required, upon satisfactory evidence being
given, to give to any applicant a diploma confer-
ring upon him the honorary degree M. E. Said
evidence to show that the applicant is prac-
tising the profession of mechanical engineer-
ing, and is fully competent to take charge of
engineering work involving great responsi-
bibty. Said applicant is to pay a nominal fee
to cover expenses."
This is rough and circumlocutory, but it
may serve as a suggestion to those who may
some day be required to frame a law on the
subject. By means of something like the
above we would do away with the bogus M.
E.'s who patch rotten boilers, sell badly
bagged crown sheets, plug up the safety valve
and perform other dangerous tricks too
numerous to mention.
My friends, the Alumni, we must have legis-
lation I Legislation at once and active ! It
is for you to turn the eyes of the legislature
upon the subject. It is for you to see to it
that tHe legislature when roused from its leth-
argy shall pass a wise law. It is for you to
rouse the public to an appreciation
responsibility of the mechanical
Then, and then only, will the end it
attained. It is for you to sustain an
our profession. Our part is to cheer
In former times, upon mutterings o
internecine strife, the consul was cot
to " see to it that the republic rec
hurt." Each Alumnus is a moden
It is his place to " see to it that his p
receives no hurt."
Who says America is not a free a
pendent country? Who says the
States and the malaria are not stil
hold their own ? Yes, sir ! The flo*
dependence still blooms with a fifi
bloom, despite the Irish and the Di
fill up everything and spill over besii
repeat it, sirs ! Liberty still lives an
the patent medicine man, that great
of liberty and union. See how he t
people with one mighty tie. He gii
darned one of them some complaint
and, after reading his circulars, they
choice selections from the best sighei
verily, they are bound in their commc
by a tie which naught can sever 1
months arrears for rent Go, then,e
American, and give ihy shekels to tl
medicine roan, that he roay dabble in
ing surf in summer and place his ho
the mantel in winter, and have naug
but tear off coupons. We take gre;
in adding our mite toward the soc
suffering humanity by annexing beic
of the results of the glorious woi
patent medicine mat,, that all may i
find deliverance. We have comn-
with a few prominent patent medii
and they have very kindly sent us
their testimonials from the best chi
the day. We hope that all will find
extracts something adapted to their
ticular case, and that they will be abh
thereby.
See what that great and glorious
"Sard's Hoopsparilla " is doing forti
We'll quote a little bit from some
nials: .
" Thinkine you might like to hear of sc
bcnelits derived from using Sard's Hoopspar
pleasure in giving everything dead away. I
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
Dg time a sufferer from California big head caused
f attending Sunday-school too much. I tried nine
lousand other remedies with no perceptible effect, but
iter standing in the shadow of your valuable remedy
ir seven and three quarter seconds I was entirely cured
id am now able to wear the usual sized hat again.
•' Very truly,
" Charlie Gum.*'
•* I was troubled for some time with my tailor and
ne mumps. The tailor bothered me more than the
[lumps, and having heard your remedy highly recom-
mended as a rat poison, I concluded to present my
ailor with a bottle. I accordingly did so and it worked
ike a charm. I haven't been troubled with the tailor
iince, and the mumps died when the tailor did.
•• Yours,
*• Shaw the Dude,"
Now, Shaw, that's a big scheme of yours.
We think you ought to get out a patent on that
process. We might be tempted to lend you
as much as a dollar thirty to push the
thing with. Come down and see us, and we'll
talk biz and drink beer at your expense.
" About a year ago, my wife was troubled with dys-
pepsia. She could not keep her food down and so I
M to put up an expensive shelf to keep it up. I
nought one bottle of your cure and look it home to my
»^fc. She said, *what elegant furniture polish,' and
<>ok half the bottle at once. I took the other half,
^^y wife and I are now confirmed invalids. Send me
"^0 bottles for the man that plays the cornet, across the
rcet
" George Milligan, the Irish undertaker."
"I take great pleasure in telling what Sard's
oopsparilla has done for my little boy. Six months
o he began to wear out his shoes and stockings like
le blazes. I found out that it was caused by his go-
\ into the swamp to hunt mosquitoes, getting his feet
^ ^nd, consequently, ruining his feet attire. I pur-
^sed a bottle of Sard's Hoopsparilla and treated his
Jl^. I am happy to say they are now waterproof
* will probably last my boy until he is married, so
Qp me shimminie gracious they will. I find your
^able compound also very valuable for putting a false
11^ on bad ale.
'Sarah Dermott, Captain of the Salvation Army.'
Sarah, you have revolutionized the old
^n racket " system if you have discovered
tiething to put a foam on bad ale. Salera-
5 was formerly used, but that's no good,
low us to thank you in the name of all the
itnps and bummers in New York City.
We have a few scrawls relating to St. Yar-
up's Oil.
" Allow me to turn inside out trying to tell how val-
ablc is St. Yarkup's Oil, We had a picnic last week
*^d one of our number, while stealing apples from a
«ighboring orchard, fell from a tree and broke his
^eck in six places. A single application of St. Yar-
kup's Oil fixed him up all right and he has gained five
^'unds since the accident. Another of our number
^ot fanny and tried to dangle on a rail fence, and he
didn't know how, so he tore his pants from beginning
to end. We didn't have sewing materials so we ap-
plied St. Yarkup's Oil and his pants were better than
new in three minutes. Send me fifteen bottles of your
valuable compound to tack on suspender buttons
with, ** Truly yours,
'* Willie Campbell, Jr."
We know Mr. Campbelf to be a very reliable
personage, and what he says is surely so. No
funny business about it.
" St. Yarkup's Oil is a bonanza. I had a ten thousand
dollar nose on me, and by four applications it was com-
pletely disguised, as well as a corresponding breath. I
have found the Oil useful in many directions. I had an
old stove quite beyond repair, apparently, but by ap-
plying St. Yarkup's Oil I fixed it up and sold it for
three Bridge tickets and a pound of tripe. I have found
your valuable remedy a very excellent substitute for
kerosene and intend to burn it hereafter, even though
it does cost six dollars a drop. Send me eight bottles
and hang me up for them.
*• George Van, the big fat man."
"For oofteen years I have been troubled with bunions
on the liver. I have spent nearly nine million dollars
on doctors, and every doctor I went to managed to
grow another bunion for me, so I had in time quite a
collection. I saw St. Yarkup's Oil advertised, and
bought a bottle. I took the whole bottle at once, as
directed, and the contents immediately chawed off the
bunions and everything else, too. I shall probably die
next week, but send me another bottle before I die, as
I like to keep your compound around to take spots off
from wood work,
"Very truly, Clinton M UN VAN."
You see, Clint drank so much cold tea with
a stick in it that he aggravated these bunions,
and their removal aH the more strongly proves
the great usefulness of St. Yarkup's Oil. For
sale by all newsdealers and milliners. Price
six dollars per drop. Ten drops for fifty dol-
lars. Now, no doubt, everyone knows of the
great remedy called Neuralgine, and we cannot
pass on without showing some of the good
work that it is doing.
'* I am pleased to be able to state that a sore throat
which has persisted in annoying me for several months
still annoys me just the same. I have taken three
hundred dollars worth of your remedy and have con-
cluded that it wasn't made for sore throat, but for taking
stains out of carpets. I now use it for that purpose. I
have dyed one set of fiannels with it, and am now going
to die myself from that three hundred dollars' worth
Don't say a word, but I die in peace. I stole every bit
of it, and I ain't losing anything. Send me two bottles
for nothing. I want to black my wife's hair.
•*OxTA Yazoontike, Chatham St.'
Miss Mamie D. Sweet writes : — " I am delighted to
say that your valuable remedy has cured me of a serious
case of corns on the heart. I also had warts on the
intellect, and I found that fifty-six bottles of Neural-
gine entirely cured me of both complaints. I had half
a bottle left, and have found that Neuralgine makes a
ver}' elegant oil for the sewing machine ; and I have
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
cleaned «l»er •ery nicely with it. Wlien yon get time,
I'd lilie tu have yoD send me niaelr-two bottlet and
a chromo for tailing them."
Well, Mamie, you have a nerve, haven't
you. We conclude that your nerve is one of
those hard and tenacious ones. This subject
is also a hard and tenacious one and would
last forever had we but the space to continue
it ; but, as we have not, we will be obliged to
discontinue it until three-fourths of the popu-
lation of the United States ask us to take it up
again. But, stilt, we do like to do anything
we can in the great cause, and we can only
say, as a final word, that we can lecommend to
those who wish to die young an earnest parti-
cipation in the cause of patent medicines, and
the sooner you want to die the more you must
take. Good day. We'll come down to the
jail and see you. T. D. K.
The Institute having been founded by Ed-
win A. Stevens, it was but natural to name
it in honor of the founder. As the time
passed by the number of students increased,
until it soon became evident that either the
buildings must be enlarged and new ones
erected or the Freshman class be limited to a
certain number. As the latter course has been
pursued, it has resulted in competitive exami-
nations for admission. It is admitted, now,
that the Institute is too crowded, more especi-
ally in the lower classes. To erect new build-
ings, or enlarge the present ones, will require
a large sum of money, and it is a well known
fact that the Institute is but poorly endowed.
What, then, is to be done ? President Morton
has presented to the Instituteacomplete work
shop, which has proved to be one of the most
valuable of departments. But one could
hardly expect an outside purson, however
generous, to donate enough money to erect
new buildings to form a part of an institute of
learning bearing another man's name. More-
Over, the Institute has yet to receive an offer
to increase its endowment, and the cause is
undoubtedly that above stated. If, however,
the name be changed to the New Jersey Insti-
tute of Technology, the Institute would re-
ceive financial aid mvich quicker than with its
present title. The number of patrons need
not be limited to one, but, on the contrary, any
number who are willing to aid the progress of
science by increasing the Institute's endow-
ment. By this change of name the State
increase the present endowment. The
tages are easily seen.
The electrical department, which pi
to be one of the finest in the In
needs much more room than it has at p
the electrical and physical labor
being both in the same room, whi(
formerly occupied by the physical latx
alone. More room could be given
lower class, especially in the drawing i
ment, and various new instruments 1
different laboratories procured, makinj
more complete. These are only a few
many advantages that would result
changing of the name of our Institute
New Jersey Institute of Technology.
BLEHENTARY BLOW-PIPE ANAl
III.
The apparatus required for the reaci
group III. are : the blow-pipe lamp, th
pipe, an alcohol lamp, the platinum
forceps, the platinum wire and a smal
tity of hydrochloric and sulphuric acid
As this is the first use made of th<
pipe and blow-pipe lamp in these art
will be well to consider the nature
flames that can be produced by a pro
of these instruments. There are two p
flames, called the oxidizing flame and
ducing flame, which, in their chemical
are identical witli the flames obtained
bunsen burner when the lower air p<
open and closed respectively, thus pr<
a non-luminous pale blue oxidizing at
minous yellow reducing flame. The bli
flame differs from the bunsen flame i
smaller, and in being either horizo
somewhat depressed.
The oxidhiiig flame contains more
than is required to combine with its c
it, therefore, is able to impart oxygei
test piece or to oxidize it. The heati
increases the affinity of the test piece
oxygen of the surrounding air, which
stantly renewed by the draught prodi
the flame and, therefore, aids oxidatic
stderably.
This flame is produced by holding th
the blow-pipe in the flame, from the righ
left, so that the opening of the jet is a
one-third of the breadtli of the wick, ai
blowing/c/-f('*/v through the blow-pipe
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
The reducing flame contains more carbon
than oxygen and, therefore, can take away
oxygen from the test piece or reduce it. This
reducing action, however, is partly neutralized
by the same action which has been shown to
aid the oxidizing fiame. Therefore, in reduc-
tion, the test piece must always be well
covered by the flame and carefully guarded
against contact with the external air.
The reducing flame is produced by holding
the opening of the jet a little above the right
hand edge of the wick and blowing gently
through the blow-pipe, so as to elongate the
flame a little and lay it over in the required
horizontal position.
The blowing should not be done with the
lungs, as that produces a variable blast, be-
sides being very tiresome, but rather by in-
flating the cheeks, so as to form a sort of
regulator, while inhaling through the nose and
exhausting between the lips. This operation
is generally a little discouraging at first, but
some practice will soon overcome the diffi-
culties.
To ignite the blow-pipe lamp, light the alco-
hol lamp first ; then, with the blow-pipe, lay
the alcohol flame over horizontally so that it
will touch the wick of the blow-pipe lamp and
ignite it.
Certain metals, whether free or combined
with other elements, and also certain acids,
have the property of imparting a peculiar and
characteristic color to the colorless bunsen or
the blow-pipe flame. In order that the color
shall be produced, the metal or acid must be
made to assume a state of vapor by the ap-
plication of heat, it is evident that the most
volatile compounds such as chlorides and
fluorides will be best adapted to show these
reactions, as the heat required will be less,
^hile the amount of matter volatilized will be
greater than if compounds are used which
cannot be changed into vapor so readily.
When the test substance is a salt, moisten
the loop of the platinum wire, attach the sub-
stance to it and then hold it into the oxidizing
flame a little in front of the apex of the inte-
rior blue cone. This flame is used because it
IS nearly colorless and not on account of any
chemical effect it may have. These reactions
h«ng entirely physical as the substance is
simply vaporized and the vapor imparts a
color to the flame.
When the test-piece is a hard, brittle sub-
stance take a sharp-edged piece in the platinum
pointed forceps, hold it so that the flame shall
Dot strike squarely against the piece, but pass
along one comer or edge of it. The wire and
forceps should be carefully cleaned previous
to each test.
The most important colors observed are
yellow, violet, red, green and blue.
The yellow color is produced by all sodium
salts, it is so strong that if the clean wire be
simply rubbed between sweaty fingers a dis-
tinct sodium reaction is obtained, owing to
the small amount of sodium -chloride in the
perspiration. If other colors are present in a
sodium flame they are entirely concealed by
the latter.
The violet color is produced by all potassium
salts excepting the phosphate and borate. A
minute portion of sodium conceals the violet
entirely. To neutralize the effects of the sodium,
introduce a piece of dark-blue glass between
the flame and the eye, the sodium flame will be
invisible while the potassium flame appears as
a reddish violet.
When many tests of this kind are to be
made with the blow-pipe, it is best to use a
pair of spectacles having the left eye-glass
transparent while the right one is dark blue,
and closing the left eye when the flame is pro-
duced. This method leaves the hands at
liberty and prevents uncertainty in operating
the instruments behind a piece of blue glass.
The red flame is produced by lithion, stron-
tian and calcium.
The lithion flame is a beautiful carmine red.
Strontian produces a purple red flame,
while the calcium flame is a yellowish red or
dark orange.
To obtain these reactions most distinct, the
chlorides should be used, or, if the substance
is non-volatile, it should be made volatile by
the application of some sulphuric or hydro-
fluoric acid.
The green flame is produced by copper
oxide, boracic acid, barium and phosphoric
acid. Copper oxide alone or combined with
some acid, excepting hydrochloric, produces
an emerald green flame ; o.i per cent, of cop-
per in the test-piece shows this reaction very
distinctly.
Boracic acid produces a green flame, but
some substances containing it must first be
moistened with sulphuric acid before showing
the reaction.
Barium shows an intense yellowish-green
flame, which is best seen with the chloride.
Phosphoric acid and substances containing it
will show a bluish-green flame ; if the latter is
not distinct, moisten the substance with sul-
phuric acid. This reaction can be shown very
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
nicely with a common match, which is lit and
extinguished before all the sulphur is con-
sumed ; then, on introducing the end of the
match into the flame, the color appears.
The blue flame is produced by arsenic, lead,
copper-chloride and antimony.
Metallic arsenic, arsenides and arsenious
acid, free or combined, produce a light blue
flame.
Metallic lead, its oxide,most qf the lead salts,
and minerals containing lead, give a beautiful
blue color to the flame.
Copper chloride imparts an intense azure-
blue color to the flame, which, after some
time, changes to green from the copper oxide
which has been formed. Copper oxide or
substances containing copper will show this
reaction when moistened with hydrochloric
acid.
Metallic antimony and antimony oxide will
produce a very pale greenish blue flame.
The very rare elements indium and thallium
produce respectively beautiful violet and
emerald green flames.
A number of other elements produce unim-
portant flame colorations, whicn need not be
considered, as there are better blow-pipe re-
actions for the same elemen ts. O. Pf.
{Tobt continued).
*^»»
THE COMMON MEETING GROUND.
In the Indicator of November there ap-
peared an article telling us how to make a
college paper successful. The.writer of that
article has pointed out several of the promi-
nent deficiencies, but has not told us what the
object of a college paper really is, and what
long felt want it is intended to supply. He
has supposed it to be self-evident that every
student is impressed with the necessity, im-
portance and usefulness of a college paper;
but the lukewarmness or, rather, coldness of
the students toward the Indicator, has shown
the sad fact that this want has been neither
very long nor very deeply felt among the stu-
dents of Stevens Institute.
In this article I shall endeavor to show that
the college paper is the meeting ground of the
students, the alumni, and the professors of
a college, concerning subjects of common in-
terest. Only when the students and the alumni
are mutually interested in each other, and in
their alma mater; and not till the professors
feel a personal interest in those whom they
have, and have had under their instruction,
will the college paper be a success, and by its
success indicate that strong spirit of unioii
which alone makes the college a spiritual
power in the land.
These conditions exist in other colleges;
why shall they not exist in our own ? If yon
should ever happen to glance into the senior
class room you will see on the wall, directljr
opposite the door, three chairs drawn in very
beautiful colors and connected by a board
screwed across the legs, and above them the
good old motto: "In union there is strength."
What a striking picture this is of the g^oal
spirit among the students ! Two or three o(
them will become attached to each other,
while the rest of the "boys" practically do
not exist for them; and yet, what a streogdi
there would be, if students would feel some
attachment toward each other as they should,
while receiving a common course of instruc-
tion ! When tliis is the case, and only then,
can we expect the alumni to feel interested in
each other and in us.
The students of the various classes have
only their class meetings, and discuss only
their class interests; we have no college meet-
ings in which to consider our common inter-
ests. The college paper supplies this defi-
ciency, and it gives you an opportunity of ex-
pressing your opinion more freely and fully
than you could do at a meeting. It further
provides a means of giving information to
your fellow students concerning some techni-
cal process you may have witnessed; or if you
should have a turn to the poetical or witty,
we can always appreciate a recreation from
Wood's Mechanics or Rankine's Thermody-
namics. Besides, what an excellent opportu-
nity the college paper affords for a student to
learn the correct use of his mother tongue in
expressing his thoughts — or do you never ex-
pect to produce anything that will be worth
putting in type ?
The alumni can also do very much to ele-
vate or depress the spirit of the student. To
judge from appearances, the very fact of the
existence of the Stevens Institute seems to
have passed from the memories of many,
although the alma mater most tenderly re-
members all her sons by publishing their
names in the catalogues year after year. Some
of the alumni have proved bright exceptions,
as for the rest, if they do not want to help us
because we have had the same course of in-
struction as they, and if they are aware that
we do not know much, at any rate let them
not discourage us.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
; not your heart beat with joy when you
hat a Stevens graduate has actually
lought worthy to receive the wages of a
n day laborer by one of its alumni 1
i not bless your good stars when you
d by another that he could have any
r of graduates at $6.00 a week, per
not our professors impressed with the
ur of their work, when these are among
ults of all their sifting, eliminating and
tating? Some may not be as brilliant
rs, but when a man remains until he
s diploma, it shows that he has at least
jrance; and we all know what perse ver-
Des.
sad to be treated indifferently by those
m we naturally look for help and advice
ve enter business. Therefore let us
liat when we leave these classic halls
ill go with us a warmer spirit of friend-
toward those who will come after us;
hope to show this, not alone by letting
lear from us occasionally, but also by
ng practical aid, as circumstances may
feeling of union would also be very
increased and much interest would be
to the paper, if all the graduates and
would at least notify the Indicator
r position or any change in it. Don't
itil you can make it read: "Thomas J.
, Ph. D., B. S., '78, has been appointed
>or of Chemistry, at Franklyn College,
n, Ga.;" or "John F. Smith, M. E.,
'81, is superintendent of the X, Y and
ich of the New York, Lake Erie and
Ti R.R."
reads very well ; but if you do wait
ng, the column of personals, interesting
s, will always be very thin. You will
lear much about your classmates, and
s, will, in the meantime forget that you
id any. Be assured that our editor is im-
enough to put in " James West, M. E.,
lughtsman, with the Murray Boiler Co.,
ork," if you want him to. Although this
>ok humiliating when it is surrounded
tof superintendents and professors, it
>o bad when a number of other grad-
ire also bold enough to acknowledge
ey are beginning at the foot of the lad-
we all must.
munications from our esteemed profes-
Lve been few and far between; and yet,
all our meetings in the Indicator be
t without an occasional word from them?
What an additional interest these pages would
have, and what a strong bond of union it
would be to the student and alumni, to hear
from those whom we all know and to whom
we all are indebted for a great portion of our
learning and training. They, perhaps, are
better able to judge us than any one else, and
knowing that any communication from them
would be interesting, they will surely honor
the Indicator with their occasional presence,
and thereby help to make the paper what it
should be — the common meeting ground of
all united in the name of Stevens Institute.
Jerseyite.
•4.^ »»
OIL CANS AND CANTS.
Through the kindness of an interested alum-
nus, we are enabled to publish the following,
from Mechanics :
A clever correspondent, who has evidently
read with more amusement than profit a great
deal of what in current literature passes for
practical information of value to practical
men, sends us the following treatise on the use
and construction of oil cans, based upon
alleged practical experience therewith :
I now wish to give to mechanics generally
the results of many years' practical experience
in workshop oil cans.
A dirty workman always has a dirty oil can,
or, in other words, a dirty oil can always has
a dirty workman.
The proper shape foi a machinist's oil can
is a matter requiring the serious consideration
of the practical engineer.
Fig. I shows the form of can I have arrived
at after a great deal of experiment. A is the
spout shown in section and having a conical
taper hole, B. As to the proper shape of the
bead at the end of this spout, many of our
most eminent engineers entirely disagree in
their practice. I have always adopted the
plan, according to the true principles of conic
sections, of making the taper of the bore 3.76-
328 inches to the foot, or 7.52656 inches for 2
feet. Some workmen do not like this taper,
but I have found it the most desirable on
large work, because if the bottom C of the can
H is pressed hard enough, the oil — assuming
the given condition that the can is full— will
be ejected with sufficient force to travel in a
straight line ; hence there will be no danger of
the oil missing the hole to be oiled when the
spout of the can cannot reach the hole to be
8
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
oiled. This is shown in Fig. a, in which A is
a casting of cast iron of any suitable mixture
of metal, molded in sand or loam, but must
not be chilled. A, Fig, a, is provided with a
bore, B, whose end faces are C and D. E is
the oil hole, with a countersink at F, the re-
cess at G being too small to get the can in.
The method I have found best in practice
is the following : The body of the can H is
filled with oil from some other can or
vessel.
On the P. D. Q. R.R., they have a modern
improvement embracing a compound system
of hollow cones soldered at A in Fig. 3.
These are made of imported IX sheet tin,
which comes in sheets 8x14 inches, packed
in wooden boxes which are nailed up with
wire nails, so that the tin cannot come out.
The gauge used by the P. D. Q. R.R. Co. is
teme plate under the Birmingham wire gauge
or charcoal tin in the American standard, the
thickness being entirely independent of the
gauge and the gauge independent of the thick-
ness, and both independent of the size of the
can.
Having selected these elements, the lower
cone X is first rolled into shape and then
tinned at the seam with a soldering iron made
of copper, Fig. 4, in which H is the handle,
usually of hickory wood, receiving the iron
stem K in a taper hole which ts surrounded
by the iron ferrule J. L is a piece of copper
which I have found it best in my practice to
call the iron. The iron L and end of stem K
are drilled with a twist drill of
No. 10 caliber, and a pin or rivet
M is first passed through K and
then through L ; it is then laid
on an iron block and riveted
with the hammer shown in Fig.
5, in which Z is the head and Y
the handle. Now L being riv-
eted to K, the two cannot fall
apart ; hence the workman is
not liable to burn his fingers
with the iron. With this tool
the lower section of the com-
pound cones of Fig. 3 is sol-
dered along the seam, as I said
The upper compound cone
W is soldered in a similar man-
ner, and is provided with a ring,
V, by means of which it c.in lie
hung up in any Kuitalilc place
near the oil tank, or it may be
attached by a string to the oil
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
Jt Mil? >
Fig. 3.
he best string for this is No. 14 (music
ige) copper wire.
ise of this instrument \? as follows :
>ut B of can, in Fig. i, has, at the bot-
icrew thread by means of which it is
I to the bottom part H. In my prac-
ave made this a right hand screw. By
ing the spout B, it comes off, and the
ilf of the compound cone of Fig. 3 is
-5 M X
Fig. 4.
in H. The upper half of this cone is
justed vertically beneath the faucet on
)arrel. The faucet is turned so that
J in the plug falls in line with the bar-
j oil passes through and falls into the
iection of the compound cone, and
through the lower section into the
of the can.
JL »4.<»3
le.isi —
u
-V.
Fig. 5.
This saves a great deal of time in filling oil
cans and is a valuable "shop wink," especially
where there is only one oil can for each de-
partment. In my practice I have found it
much easier to place the oil can under the
barrel than to hold the barrel over the oil
can.
A JOKE (?).
They are making a great fuss about an
engineer on a railroad in Germany who has
run on the road 49 years and never had an
accident. We don't see anything wonderful
about it. The engineer on a German railroad,
we believe, always walks ahead of his train
and shoves everything off the track, while his
wife shoos the train along after him. Still, we
can see how an accident might happen. The
engineer might grow weary and climb on the
train and go to sleep, and so get into the sta-
tion ahead of time, and run the risk of catch-
ing a severe cold while waiting for the esteam-
agewagonhausbundeirassmeister (German for
station agent) to open the zweitrackagesteam
wagonausgerornudhausmitswanzigdoors (round
house). — Bob, Burdette^ in Mcch, Engineer,
lO
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
rUBLlSHBO ON THE
16th OF EACH MONTH, DURINO THE COLLEOE YEAR,
BY THE
INDICATOR PUBLISHING COMPANY,
^teVen^ Institute of Tec jnologg.
TERMS :— $1.60 per Year, in Advance. Single Conr> 20 Centt.
KiAfftd td lAMhm Ptat (\§k» mm fkmmd CfOM JtaW«r.
Extra copies can be obtained at LuthiiCs book store^
Hoboken^ N, J.
Subscribers will please immediately notify us of any
change in their addresses or failure to receive the papet
regularly.
The -writer s full name^ as well as his NOM DE PLUME,
must accompany the article^ as assurance of good faith
and reliability ; but it will not be published, unless desired.
Exchanges, contributions, subscriptions, atlvertisements
and all other communications by mail, should be addressed
to TiiK Stevens Indicatok, Stevens Institute, Hoboken,
N.J.
TT70 apologize for the late appearance of the
1 January Indicator would be futile, inas-
much as our only excuse, if it may be called
by that name, is — the excessive length of our
winter vacation. Instead of making good use
of our spare hours, by preparing our manu-
scripts for January, procrastination, as usual,
stole away our time. Other delays were not
lacking, so that the Board can congratulate
itself that the paper is published at all. We
might also mention, en passant^ that the sup-
port of the students, in the shape of contribu-
tions, was again equal to almost nothing. We
hope to do better next month, and expect that
the literary men of the Institute will do the
same.
TT7HE contribution, entitled "The Common
A* Meeting Ground," certainly deserves
perusal, and contains many points meriting
the attention of all interested in the welfare of
the Indicator and of the students. The
appeal made to the Alumni of our Institute is,
undoubtedly, a timely one, and should be
taken to heart by all. We have been receiving
many excellent suggestions from graduates,
but as yet we have not been able to act upon
them, for lack of active support from the
Alumni at large. Then the paper would he-
come one of more practical value, not only to
the students, but also to the graduates, thus
making the Indicator a medium of communi-
catioQ between the sons of our alma mater.
If the Alumni Association would take some
action upon these suggestions, the desired
feeling of union and interest between the
students and graduates of the Institute would
be greatly advanced.
•JyPE have begun the practice of. placing
Vic upon the library table our exchanges.
in order that the students may have an oppor-
tunity to learn what is taking place at other
colleges and to compare the Indicator with
other journals. Whether this venture is to
succeed, has not as yet been proved. At
present if a student sees a neat looking paper,
he puts it in his pocket to "read during
math," or whenever it is most convenient for
him. As a consequence, one runs across, in
most out-of-the-way places, recent exchanges
bearing the Indicator stamp. Some of these
have been known to travel as far as the bakery
on Washington Street. This is without ques-
tion taking unfair advantage of a privilege.
The papers are put in the library for general
use, not for two or three students. It may
reasonably be asked why — if students are to
assume exchanges, as soon as they fall into
their hands, to be private pfoperty —
should not the stockholders of the I. P. Co.
divide the copies among themselves ? Having
said this much, we will continue the experi-
ment a little further, and we may as well state
here, that if the scheme works well, our
choicest exchanges will find their way to the
library table.
*^ »>
WE feel constrained to say that Professor
Wall has taken a most progressive step
in the conducting of the Literature course.
Such a step is in full keeping with the strides
made in the past year by real education versus
"machine education." We are sure that the
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
lias paid most kind attention to the
.nd suggestions which have been
• the students since the question
agitated. Those who, two years
:d the subject under the old regime,
now recognize what they then con-
jir worst enemy. It is evident, on
)f it, that Prof. Wall believes that
ave brains and judgment, and that
students in general complain of a
.•re must be sound reasons for such
tration. This In itself, however,
have justified any action on the
jrofessor to change such a course ;
ts have shown that they are worthy
laid attention to, in that they have
what they did want, while crying
t what they did not want. Without
ag any more, we hereby express our
Professor Wall,
ssflifliUFjrcpsiiieR.
'ilori of the Indicator :
je to call attention to the condition
ichines, etc, in Prof. Wood's room.
:nts of the room are practically left
re of themselves judging from their
aises over the cases of test pieces
reat many cases, broken and the test
emselves considerably disarranged,
ler governor, especially, is in such a
as betokens gross carelessness on
of some and negligence of others.
; ought certainly to be responsible
mdition of this machine, otherwise
will sooner or later be lost,
he class of '87 first began machine
they were instructed to leave the
question in the condition in which
d it, (. e., in good order and to lake
■om the room. During the last term,
■ the Junior class were engaged in
ketches of the Gardner governor ;
them went down to complete his
ne day, and he found the governor
:alcen to pieces and the valve missing,
I it be found at all that day. It
ut that some blooming idiot had
ip into the drawing room, locked it
desk, and had left the building.
When the machine was seen last, Dec. i6th,
the valve was not where it belongs but on the
shelf alongside of the governor together with
several other small pieces. It is hoped that
something will be done to put a stop to such
carelessness.
"Junior,"
The faculty of the Stevens Institute, in
their endeavor to further the interests of the
physical as well as the mental capabilities
of the students, intrusted to their charge,
have, with commendable foresight, divided
the college year into three parts, com-
monly known as the first, second and third
terms. Naturally, one would suppose each
term to represent one-third of the collegiate
year, but not so, for when it came to dividing
the year into three equal parts, a serious diffi-
culty arose, various opinions were offered and
as promptly objected to. One member stated
that " limits " was an absurd term and could
not be used by any respecter of truth and
right ; another would have substituted infinity,
and, as the discussion progressed, matters
grew worse, and as a compromise, the question
was left to the caprice of. the "inconstant
moon." Hence it is that the second term
this year is longer than it will be for some 50
odd years.
Another important reason for taking the
moon as a standard was to divide the athletic
year into such intervals as to best promote the
interests of the students in the sporting world.
For instance, the first term is set aside for foot-
ball and referee (this is a new departure and is
recognized at Stevens as an established sport ;
was played with great success last fall), and all
the exciting circumstances connected with
the two games. The second term, was origi-
nally intended (and the idea is faithfully carried
out) as a period of rest for our athletes ; a
lime for binding up wounds, mending frac-
tured skulls, sprained ankles, broken ribs, etc.,
all the natural outcome of foot-ball as played
in the twenty-seventh story (back room) of
the modem ««i/j(?)- paper shop. Then this
term is well occupied with the healing of
12
THE STEVBNS tNDlCAtOk.
wounds occasioned by the game "Referee."
The fellow who blighted our hopes in the Fall,
is now cussed more satisfactonly and effect-
ively, than during the excitment of the game.
Not a stone is left unturned to make his life
miserable, and if both stones and vocabulary
cease to furnish missiles for his destruction —
castings (ten cents per pound), free of sand
holes, from Hawkridge's, continue the good
work.
This term was originally set apart for indoor
physical culture, but since the apparatus of
our ex-gymnasium was removed temporarily
to the garret of the Institute, the association
has recommended that members stand on the
bureau in their 6x8 ft, rooms (the regular
gauge for Hoboken quarters), and swing a
pair of blacking brushes for a half hour each
day.
The association has a species of promissory
note for a new gymnasium, but the note
declines to mature.
Skating is encouraged by the association
and as there are several good stretches of ice
about Hoboken, the " boys " spend alarge part
of their leisure moments sliding. Hoboken
supports a rink, whose advantage over the
meadows consists in the possession of two
{gasoline lamps. A double supply of lights, is
mdicative of a Carnival!
The third term represents the second
active period of the year, and those who were
not stuck by the faculty, buy " sticks " of their
own and work hard for a position on the
lacrosse team. The battery for the baseball nine,
after a winter's practice (?) at Hexamer's, comes
forth and surprises everybody. The chronic
growler turns anew his strings of discord and
croaks with the ambition to drown the voice
of his weaker brother, the meadow frog. The
season closes and then comes a void, when
again the cycle of victories and " Referee "
absorb the attention of our little world.
How did you get through with your ex-
Have you learned to write it i8S6 «
itme ?
How many silk handkerchiefs and pai
slippers did you get at Christmas ?
The Soph, who talks about " choleric h
is sure to get mad if the boys laugh.
Ditto, in Physics — " Why, of course, i
a vftcuum in the globe by blaming it in,"
"Three beakers — lo, 12 and 15c;
50c." is the way it reads on the labor
price list.
The Soph, who, while fooling, rushed
the stairs and into Prof. Wall's arms is
resigned to his fate.
" I had a box of colored chalk heit
somebody has gone and totlared it."
tell anybody where you saw this.
Soph, in Chemistrj- — " I'mnot sure.p
sor but I think that, er, silice has a
peculiar odor — something like rotten egg
It seems to be now generally concedet
the Preparatory department is the moE
portant part of the Institute. Well, 1
so.
The Sophomore class, in their coui
literature, nave taken up the study of S
speare. Three of his best works are
studied.
Prof. Geyer is amusing the Senior cli
exhibiting a little glass man, lying on to
wire, and swimming with all his might a
a strong current of electricity.
He mumbled something of this sort
" I wish that Prof, was in perdition
He sadly gazed on his report,
I judged he must have a condition.
After all, there is not much differeni
tween the wily Sophomore and the inn
Prep. The one gambles while the other
hols about the halls of the Institute.
Prof : " Good morning. Are you all
Class : "Yes, sir ; all here."
Alas, sighed one, as he thought of thos
were dropped. How soon we are forgoi
Will the student, who borrowed a li
curves from Wynkoop, '88, last term, 1
return the same, and oblige the owner,
curve has a W scratched on it, and the
is on the inside of the box.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
13
" Don't you see if I should go off to
nd give this body a twist by means
ich, it would act so and so."
It : ** Yes, sir, I see ; but no right
nan would go off to infinity to twist
the Sophs, got a Waterbuty watch
iristmas present. He goes into the
shop twice a day and winds his " stem
by gripping it in a chuck in one of
lathes and throwing the belt on the
peed.
uld advise the Freshmen to stop fool-
" Donald." To be sure, Stevens is a
institution; but, if a half dozen of
Id get bitten, the college could not
give you all a free passage to France,
he interest of science.
freshman who left a letter addressed
ing Ellie," on a seat in mathematics
ill call at our sanctum within five
may save his letter and his reputation
If not called for within five days,
r will be posted on the bulletin
udents that send us communications
ibing," examinations, etc., will find
)jects treated at length in a little book,
1 by the New York Evening Post, It
the views of professors from most of
ges of this country, and is really a
book.
iber of small black objects were seen
: floating in the river off the " Elysian
They were supposed to be diaries
discarded by the disgusted inhabi-
:he cities and towns up the river, who
set out with the determination of
a strict account of their doings during
the Sophs, were sitting for their pic-
the Institute steps the other day, a
agara, mixed with sawdust, descended
em from the floor above, coursing
J backs of their necks and coming out
:uffs. It was a cold day, and before
them could remove themselves they
izen fast in their positions. Their
tunate classmates succeeded, however,
ng a fire around them, and in time
them from the gaze of this cold, un-
orld.
An upper class man and a Freshman have
put their heads together, and the result is an
invention that will, no doubt, be universally
adopted by the students. It consists of a wire
which is attached to the register and stretched
across the floor close to the bed side. The
first one to awake in the morning seizes the
wire and opens the register ; then he jumps
out and shuts down the window. By the
time they have finished their breakfast, the
room begins to get warm, and is quite com-
fortable when they return for lunch. It is
said to work like a charm. As the patent is
applied for, a full description of the invention,
accompanied* by numerous wood cuts, will,
probably, soon appear in the Scientific Ameri-
can,
« ^ » »
FBRE6^fiIlS.
•76.
Prof. A. W. Stahl, at Purdue University,
has recently, in conjunction with Prof. A. F.
Woods, of the University of Illinois, brought
out a treatise on ElemefUary Mechanism, Van
Nostrand being the publisher.
'81.
Albert Spiess has returned to the staff of
the Iron AgCy and will take charge of the
mechanical department, and all engineering
matters connected with it. Meclianics with
which he was formerly connected having been
sold.
'83
Morgan Brooks, in the American Engi-
neer ^ for Oct. 2 2d, gives a critical review of
a recently published book on " The Gas En-
gine," by Wm. Macgregor, in which he tersely
proves beyond a doubt that this author plag-
iarized to an astonishing extent from German
and French works on the same subject.
'84.
George F. Sandt is with the Edison
Electric Light Company, in New York City.
Wm. H. Pierce, Jr., has in hand the making
of the general outline drawings for the various
classes of locomotives on the Philadelphia,
Wilmington and Baltimore R.R,
E. B. Renwick has W. H. Bristol's former
position as Instructor in Mechanics and Draw-
ing, Workingmen's Institute, New York City.
■4
THE STEVENS tNbrCATOR.
WiLLARD S. TuTTLE hxs left Bridgcton,
N. Y., and entered his father's finn, Tuttle &
Bailey, New York. He is now stationed at
their factory in Brooklyn.
■8s-
W. J. BaoADUEADow is associated with his
father in the canning business at Red Bank,
N.J.
Wk. S. Corwin has entered business on his
Dwn account, in the line of Electric Bells^ Gas
Lighting Apparatus, etc., at Newark, N. J.
E. Drevspking is with the New York
Plough Co., at Voakers.
Wti. N. Stevens has accepted a position
with the Worthington Pump Works, Brooklyn.
Thos. G. Suith is in the shops of the P.
C. & St. L. Ry., at Indianapolis, Ind.
K<')^if</
The Mfchanical Engineer, for November a8,
Contains a full account, with drawings, of the
United States twin-screw cruiser "Chicago."
This number has been advertised for some
time past, and is well worth preserving for
reference.
We have before us the Swarthmore Phanix.
It seems like an old friend, although we can
find no record of its appearance before upon
our study table. The literary matter is well
selected, and the typography of the whole is
good. We are glad that hereafter we may
count the Phanix among our exchanges.
We have before us the first number of the
Peiuisyh'anian, from the University of Penn-
sylvania. 'Y\\eUitiversily Magazine has disap-
peared, and this new weAly has taken its
place. While such a change from a monthly
to a weekly necessarily cuts down the amount
of literary matter, we hope that our friend,
the Pennsylvanian, will not abandon this de-
partment entirely.
The exchange editor of the Sibyl has been
reading Thackeray. She writes; and the sar-
casm flows gently from her pen, like the ideas
from the mind of the verdant freshman. We
are amazed at our own ignorance. We admit
that by & mistake we made Professor Thurston
go to Dtica; yet we do
upon the printer. At any rate, the
take our word for it, that we
geography hereafter, and thus avoid suck
mistake — a mistake which, if we had "couaia
of the opposite sex at Ithaca, would
have been made.
Just as wc go to press we have
Fan JVcf/raxifsioi Jinaary. ThisnumbtfrCt
tains a paper taken from the Philosophit^ Mi
attne and entitled " The Luminiferous Etbu
In this article Professor De Volson Woo
after quoting various authorities, says ;
propose to treat the sether as if it confonn
to the Kinetic theory of gases, and detetmi
its several properties on the conditions that
shall transmit a wave with the velocity
i86,joo miles per second, and also
133 foot-pounds of energy per second p
square foot. This is equivalent to considcrv
it as gaseous in its nature, and at once CO
pels us to consider it as molicular ; and. i
deed, it is difficult to conceive of a mcdti
transmitting ti^t and energy without bet
molicular."
CROSS PURPOSES.
We have paused to wmtdi the quiver
Of faint moonbcaiai on Ibe river
By the gate. '
We can hear waethlnir calling,
\»A a heavy dew ii falling,
Yeiw
ll is, no doubt, very atllj
To stay out in all thii dully
Evening mist :
Still I linger, hciitating,
For her lips are plainly waiting
To be kissed.
So 1 xtuop 10 take pi
Of the coveted ci
On the ipot ;
But she draws )>ack with diicreettMM,
Saying, with tormenting sweetneat.
Her whole manner is provoking ;
" Oh, well. T was only joking.
She looks penitently pretty.
As she answera : " What a pity :
So was 11 "
# ui^ ¥
>m}M4
^--fcpuary, 1886. m
tf nc^taat'st , , , , -
^om-iaCnn of jRi. '
::.
a »=•
fjfti 'i
5TEVENS HIGH SCHOOl
THE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT
STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
I
RIVER STREET, bet. 5th cmd StK HOBQKEK. X J-
OPENS SEPTEMBER 16. d885
EjjanitfttttWM JM Admiaijlon an tha I-lth aufi iBUi of Sapleiri'..Tr,
OIL COURSES OF STl'DY, PKF.PARATORY TO SCHOOLS OF SCIENCE Atib COLLEnl
JUNIOR DEPARTMENT, ■ - - S7B.OO PER ANNUM.
SENIOR DEPARTMENT,
SISO.OO PER ANNUM.
TiiflaA -urmM> InnluilB idl tb* •tu.u*»-
?sr cacalegue* fl^ply xi ths Llbeartan of SMrnDB laedtute-
THE
jStleve^s jHdiQalsF.
Vol. 3.
HOBOKEN, N. J., FEBRUARY, 1886.
No. 2.
*-■■
THE BARK OF MEMORY.
I stood by the shores uf the beautiful sea.
And mused o*er the wonderful deep;
A feeling of awe and of mystery
My heart in suspense did keep.
In the west I saw the orb of light
Depart in a cloudless sky ;
In the east appeared the shroud of night,
As the lovely day must die.
And all was calm as in slumber bound;
While on the lonely strand
The waves were beating with gentle sound,
Like songs from a better land.
In the distance I saw a gallant bark
Come bearing down to me ;
Her full sails were a silvery white.
As she dashed o*er the rolling sea.
Her hull was wreathed with garlands gay,
Her masts were bright as gold;
The sailors sang a mirthful lay,
Whose tune was quaint and old.
She neared, and I looked in an eager way,
And they beheld me on the shore ;
I saw all the friends of my boyhood's day,
While they greeted me as of yore.
Her course she changed again to the sea,
Her bell was tolling a mystic chime ;
I knew then — the bark of memory,
Was sailing by o*er the ocean of time.
— ^Jerskyite.
-•-♦'
THE INDICATOR.
A short history of our periodical, the Indi-
cator, together with an account of its man-
it past and present, would not be out of
here at the present time, when it is just
^nning its third volume.
[ore especially for the benefit of those
faembers of '89, who are not familiar with its
past record, do we present this account, in
order that, being aware of the difficulties which
had to be overcome in starting and main-
taining the paper, they may perhaps feel a
Htdc more interest in its further maintenance.
About two years ago, /. ^., just before the
Christmas holidays of 1883, a number of the
students thought it would be an excellent
scheme to start a college paper. Accordingly,
a meeting of the whole college was called, and
the plan talked over. The idea was con-
sidered to be a good one, and so volume one
of the Indicator began with January, 1884.
The management of the paper was intrusted
to a board of editors elected by the respective
classes ; two from each of the Senior, Junior,
and Sophomore classes, the Freshmen having
only one representative. All the students
were invited to contribute to its columns. But
the principal difficulty was in obtaining ar-
ticles for publication, for students in a college
course like ours have very little time to de-
vote to literary pursuits. This fact was soon
proved, and consequently the hard work rested
rather heavily upon the editors.
We quote the following from an editorial
which appeared in the first number of the
Indicator: " We know that a paper like this
requires an expenditure of time and labor
which we can ill afford to give. Our legit-
imate college duties, already arduous, are con-
stantly growing from year to year, and leave
but little time for outside issues of this kind;
yet we are willing to devote to it much time,
which would otherwise be devoted to recrea-
tion, trusting that all who can will bear with
us in the work." We see from this that the
editors seemed to half expect that most of the
work would fall upon them ; and so indeed it
turned out, that not only most of the work,
but all of it, had to be done by the editors.
The students, although evincing a great in-
terest in the prompt appearance of the paper,
yet, when asked to contribute articles, always
thought that they could not possibly find
time to write one. This was the case even
with the Freshmen, who always seem to have
so much leisure. But, notwithstanding all
these difficulties, the Indicator fought her
way bravely onward, and kept improving with
each issue. Frequently during the year, in
fact, in almost every number, appeals were
made to the students for help, but none
l6
THE STEVENS INDICATOR,
seemed to be forthcoming, and at the end of
the year, after issuing the last number of
Vol. I., the board of editors resigned in a
body.
Then it was that the students began to
realize how aSairs stood, well knowing that if
the paper did not succeed, it might be years
before another attempt would be made. Ac-
cordingly, a meeting of all the students was
called, and they showed that their interest was
not all gone by deciding that the paper should
not be discontinued, and by finding means
whereby the work could still be carried on.
The plan adopted was that of the forma-
tion of a stock company, consisting of fifteen
members, and in the hands of this company
the paper was placed. This plan has been
found to work much better than the
former one ; but still there is a lack of co-
operation on the part of the remaining stu-
dents who are not members of the company,
these apparently thinking that alt responsi-
bility has been removed from their shoulders,
and that all they have to do is to read. But
this is a very wrong impression, for every
student should feel interested to have the
paper succeed, and should therefore do what-
ever he is able to do for its support.
Perhaps a student may not have time to
write for himself ; but why not get an article
once in a while from some friend of a literary
turn of mind outside the college ? The same
remark applies to sketches as well as to ar-
ticles.
One of the chief attractions of the Indi-
cator at present is the series of articles on the
subject of " Elementary Blow-pipe Analysis."
More matter of this kind would be very ac-
ceptable, and would fulfil one of the purposes
for which the paper is maintained, viz., in-
struction.
"Well," you may say, "what conclusion
may be drawn from what has just been said ?"
Why, just this; if, notwithstanding (he difficul-
ties which have beset its path, the Indicator
has overcome them, and arrived at its pres-
ent condition, which is by no means bad,
how very much more attractive, interesting,
and instructive a journal it might become if it
had the co-operation and assistance of even
one half of the students, which, we are sorry
to say, it has not at present, and we can only
hope that, as time goes on, more and more in-
terest will spring up among the students, and
that they will do iheir share of ihe work as
well as reap their share of the benefits,
ELEUEHTARY BLOW-PIPE ANALYSIS.
IV.
In group IV, the metals which produce an
incrustation on charcoal are considered. Ii
is certainly the most interesting of all the
groups, not only from the number of elements
which it includes, but also from the variety of
chemical combinations that may be produced
in it. By means of the incrustation on char-
coal, the common metals — arsenic, antimony,
lead, bismuth, cadmium, zinc, tin and silver-
may be detected. In some cases, a metallic
bead is also produced from the test piece,
when it contains either antimony, lead, bii-
muth, tin or silver. The characteristics of
these beads will be given in another group,
and only the incrustations considered in ilui
place.
The apparatus needed for this group are:
the blow-pipe and alcohol lamps, the blov-
pipe and several pieces of charcoal. Special
attention should be given to the latter, which
must be of fine grained pine wood, about four
inches long, one wide and one thick, and only
the two sides which show the grain in paralld
lines should be used, and kept smooth b;
means of a fine file or emery paper. A few
samples of the charcoal may be seen in oneof
the mineral cases in the library.
When the charcoal is to be used, cut a
small shallow cavity, about ^ inch from one
end, for receiving the test piece, and after the
latter has been placed in position, hold the
charcoal at an angle of about twenty degrees
to the horizontal, so that the flame will touch
the test piece, which is at the lower end.
According to the nature of the substance,
the uncombined metal, the oxide, sulphate,
carbonate or chloride may be produced. In
some special cases, a reagent of equal partsof
of potassium — iodide and sulphur is used,
and also a dilute solution of cobalt nitrate,
which produce characteristic compounds widi
some metals.
The properties of the incrusi ations by which
the corresponding metal is recognized, con-
sist in odor, color, volatility and the color of
the reverberated flame produced by the com-
pound. The reverberated flame is obtained
by holding the deposit in, and at right angl«
to the flame, so that the latter is reverberated
or thrown back from the charcoal and colored
by the vapors of the deposit, the colors, of
course, being the same as those obtained in
group III by the same elements.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
>7
;olor of the deposit is best seen at
t nearest to tlie test piece, as the de-
thickestat that place, while the more
part assumes a bhiish tinge from the
,ng charcoal.
ixidizing flame is invariably used, as
losits are mainly oxides, though, in
analysis, some cases occur, with zinc
ores, where an alternating oxidizing
Licing flame produces the best results.
ic, as a metat, or in combination, will
a white deposit, which is very vola-
, therefore, settles only on the coolest
of the charcoal, from which the slighi-
ication of heat will remove it.
2As + 30 = As, Oj
the test piece is an oxide of arsenic,
>e simply volatilized and redeposited,
nol produce the peculiar odor of gar-
ned with other compounds.
loiiy and its compounds produce a
;posit, less volatile than that of arsen-
therefore, nearer the test piece. By
; the reverberated flame to the deposit,
green flame coloration is obtained,
■b. S, + gO = Sbi O, + 3S O,
lit portion of antimony sulphate may
produced in this case,
and its compounds produce a deposit,
. near the test piece, and which has a
olor when hot, but becomes white on
and can be volatilized at a dull red
The deposit is generally the oxide, but
itain traces of carbonate, sulphate or
, depending on the nature of the test
When sulphide of lead is used, traces
sulphate are invariably produced.
+ 7O = Pb O -1- Pb S O, + S O,
everberated flame shows the blue color
ead.
ilh and its compounds produce an
colored deposit, when hot, which
to lemon yellow on cooling ; in other
, it is similar to lead.
a mixture, consisting of equal parts
isium — iodide and sulphur, is mixed
equal volume of the test substance,
e is formed which is lemon yellow
e substance contains lead, and brick
n bismuth is present.
sK I -(- iS + 60 =^ Bi I, + K,.S O,
+ SO1
Cadmium produces a reddish brown de-
posit, which has a variegated border, and can-
not be mistaken for any other.
Zinc produces a white involatile deposit of
zinr oxide, very near the test substance.
When treated with the reverberating flame, a
white glow is seen, but the deposit cannot be
driven off by the greatest heat.
Tin produces a deposit very similir to that
given by line, but when it is treated with co-
balt nitrate, a bluish green color is produced,
thus distinguishing the two deposits.
Silver, after long continued blowing, pro-
duces a slight dark brown incrustation of sil-
ver oxide on the charcoal. The deposit is
only obtained when a large amount of silver is
contained in the test piece. If, however, any
white deposit of antimony, lead, zinc or tin is
first produced and then overlaid by a silver
deposit, a very delicate rose tint will appear,
and less than one-half of one per cent, of
silver may be detected in the test substance.
Some alkali salts as sodium and potassium
sulphate produce a white volatile deposit,
which may be distinguished by the color of
the reverberated flame. 0, Pf.
(To be continurd.)
The article about changing the name of
our Institute is one which ought to naturally
create some discussion. It is only too true
that we are crowded for accommodation and
that a liberal endowment would be most ac-
ceptable. Our faculty even recognize this for
they mention the endowment scholarships in
the annual catalogue, and by this means hope
to awaken outside interest in the Institute
which ought to benefit us financially. It
hardly seems to me that because our name is
Stevens we do not receive outside aid. Other
colleges which bear the name of the founders,
or some one largely interested in it, such
as Vale, Harvard, Cornell, Johns Hopkins,
Vanderbill University, in Tennessee, receive
annually endowments such as we desire. It
can hardly be that our name is at fault.
Cornell University, receives or has received
substantial money grants from New York
Slate, while it is named aftera private person.
Why could not Stevens receive support from
the State of New Jersey likewise. The people
of New Jersey take great pride in their com-
mon school system and I think, if interest
i8
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
enough could be awakened among the people,
they would respond with a cheerful gift or
grant. The (question then is to awaken in-
terest. This IS the rub. We cannot hope
outsiders will do it, hence it must be done by
our graduates. But then 1 have my doubts as
to this, for generally speaking, it seems the
most difficult thing to awaken interest con-
cerning matters in college life. Take our col-
lege organ, the Indicator, for example ; if
it were not for the few students who have
banded themselves together as a publishing
company it would have died long smce. But
this is a digression, and to return once more
to our subject : I believe it is shown that
our name is no hindrance to endowments.
What we want is genuine, sympathetic out-
side interest. Let us show to the world we
are useful and honorable members of society ;
that we are capable, honest and efficient workers
and we will soon get friends. One disadvan-
tage to us is that we are young yet, hence we
cannot expect much. We must grow natu-
rally— a forced growth is without strength.
Another point, although it has not weight, is
that Stevens aesthetically considered is much
preferable to New Jersey. In conclusion, I
would say to those who have thoughts of en-
dowment, not to let our name stand between
as a drawback. It shows a narrow and selfish
spirit which is not found in the liberal minded
people who endow colleges with the honest
purpose of advancing higher education.
" Stevens."
■♦♦♦-
SOME FACTS ABOUT THE RECENT
CLASSES AT STEVENS.
It is always interesting for the undergradu-
ates of an institution to look back over the
classes that have gone before them, and won-
der how they got through examinations, and
whether many of the members of the different
classes concluded not to go on with their col-
lege course, after having received their re-
ports with one word of eight letters, begin-
ning with d^ attached to it.
Looking over the old catalogues, we find
that the class of 1884 entered with about sixty
members. They labored, as the Freshmen do
now, with trigonometry and co-ordinate, with
the French verb and the laws of Newton, and,
as the next year's roll call proves, succumbed
to one or more of the former. As Sopho-
mores, they numbered 47; and they evidently
were more successful as Sophs than they were
as Freshies, for, as they entered their Junior
year, there were 4a on hand to answer to their
names. As Seniors, they were still 42, and
with that number they graduated; and nov
they are out in the world making their miik
among men of their profession.
When '84 had reached its second year, a
new dasSy numbering 53, came in. This das
of '85 seems to have had some difficulty, as is
peculiar to Freshmen, for in their second year
there were but 43. As before, the Sophomore
year was not as bad as the Freshman, or rather,
the men were better than they had been, for
'85 had 42 Juniors. But the Junior year was
and is a hard one, and only 36 Seniors were
on hand to graduate.
Perhaps ^^ will excuse us if we presume
that they have graduated. They began col-
lege life with 48, and sad was the havoc made
upon them, for there were 37 Sophs to take
up Calculus and Descriptive Geomet^. But
they braced up and went into the Jumor year
with 36 men who were bound to get throagfa,
and 33 of them stuck to their resolution and
became Seniors, and will probably graduate
next June, if all goes well.
The classes of ^87, '88 and '89 will have to
wait, particularly '89, to wage some more war-
fare before having their roll call made up.
For the present they must be content >irith
what they have gained or lost
• ^ »»
THE FORMATION OF SULPHURIC ACID.
The equations, by which the formation of
sulphuric acid in the leaden chambers is gen-
erally expressed, are :
(i) 2 HNOs+SO,=H, SO4+2 NO, and
(2) SO,+H, 0+N, Os=H, SO4+N,0,
Lunge, a German chemist, proposes a
change, and represents the reaction by two
entirely different equations.
{2 SO,+N, Os+0,+ H, 0=2 SO,
r J .OH. ONO.
^^^ 1 2 SO, OH. ONO+H, 0=2 H, SO4
I +N.O3. . ^
The difference lies m this, that m tne
first two equations it is the nitrogen dioxide,
and in the third the nitrogen trioxide, which
carries over the oxygen to the sulphurous acid,
and thus causes the formation of sulphuric
acid. In Lunge's formula, the formation of
SO, .OH .ONO (nitrogen-tetroxide-hydrosul-
phate), which, in the form of crystals, is called
the " crystals of the leaden chamber/* is one of
the main actions taking place. In the old
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
19
owever, the formation of this com-
jgarded as secondary, and, it is be-
lly ought not to take place. Its
lows that the quantity of nitric acid
large.
1 (i) supposes that, after the first
f sulphuric acid has been formed,
Lcid results from the action of water
gen tetroxide.
0,+H, 0=2 HNO3+NO.
, which is one of the products of
n in contact with the oxygen of the
s again into NO,, which then, with
, causes the formation of a new
nitric acid.
ion (2) it is also the nitrogen diox-
icts as a carrier of oxygen from the
sulphurous acid, the nitrogen tri-
l produced by the oxidation of the
4 N0+0,=2 N2 O3.
ime to his conclusion through facts
bserved, while trying 10 determine
amsay and Cundall were right in
nitrogen trioxide does not exist in
s state. Armstrong thought that
n which the latter experimenters
id consisted of a mixture of the di-
:he tetroxide of nitrogen. Lunge,
lowed that the nitric acid they used
trong. He experimented on the
nion of NO and free oxygen, and
e following results :
1 dry NO is brought into contact
O, NO 2 is almost exclusively
owever, NO is in excess, NOg is
»ides a large quantity of Ng O3.
le presence of H, O and excess of O,
^ is produced.
md O, acting upon each other in
strong H J SO4, form neither NOg
, even when there is an excess of O.
Dn taking place under these circum-
-t-2 N0+0=2 SOg .OH .0N0+
Hg O.
view of the above results that we
I to change the representation of
place in the leaden chambers.
V. d. W.
-*-♦-
PRIMEVAL AMERICA.
styled the New World, America
zation almost as old as Egypt or
Asia. In the unbroken solitudes of Central
America are cities rivaling Thebes or Babylon.
Overgrown with dense forests are the ruins of
once magnificent palaces, gorgeous temples
and gigantic pyramids. The walls are rich
with carvings and the ground is strewn with
broken statuary. Further north, in the great
valley of the Mississippi, covered by forests at
least 800 years old, are to be found earthworks
as varied as they are numerous. These extend
over the greater part of the Ohio and Mis-
sissippi valleys, including the Gulf States.
They are found, more or less numerous, from
Minnesota to Louisiana, and from Florida to
Texas. Ohio alone contains from 11,000 to
12,000.
Some are vast embankments of earth or
stone crowning steep and inaccessible hills.
Others, built on the level plains of the valleys,
are great enclosures of earth in the forms of
geometrical figures, connected by avenues,
and having in or near them mounds of dif-
ferent sizes and shapes. The mounds are the
most numerous remains, and are frequently
found alone on the hill tops and in the valleys.
Some are little hillocks; others cover acres, and
are from 70 to 90 feet high.
Of the nation that built these wonderful
works, we have no history ; even its name is
unknown. On account of the number of
mounds that they have left, we call them the
Mound Builders. Whence or when they
came is a mystery. Their origin as a race
extends far back into antiquity. Their
rude though often imposing works have the
impress of native genius and development,
and are their only witnesses. To them we
must go, armed with spade and mattock, if we
wish to learn of their architects.
The principal classes of the earthworks are
geographically divided into three regions,
leading many to believe that they were built
by separate and distinct races at different
times. But they so gradually blend into each
other that it is hard to tell where the one ends
and the other begins.
The State of Wisconsin is covered with
gigantic bas-reliefs of men and beasts. One
of this class in Ohio is a large serpent, with a
body 1,000 feet long, ending in a triple coil,
and having between its widespread jaws an
egg-shaped figure. The Southern states
abound in truncated pyramids that are often
terraced and have graded ways leading to
their summits. One of these in Illinois covers
8 acres, is 90 feet high, has a flat top of 5
20
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
acres, and contains 20,000,000 cubic feet of
earth. The latter may have been sites of
temples or the elevated places where the
solemn rites of their superstitious builders
were performed, and are connecting links be-
tween the Mississippi valley and Central
America. The last division is principally in
Ohio, where are found all classes in the great-
est profusion. The Mound Builders seem to
have chosen the fertile valley of the Scioto as
the seat of their empire and densest popula-
tion. Along the northern part of the State
and extending into Western New York,
crowning high hills overlooking the valleys,
was a system of strong fortifications that often
covered many hundred acres, and was sur-
rounded by several miles of embankments.
When not near springs or streams, each had
within it several large reservoirs, capable of
holding an almost inexhaustible supply of
water. The gateways were perfect mazes.
The walls on the sides most easy of access
were frequently 15 or 20 feet high, and had
deep ditches on their outer sides. Together
with these were a series of look-out or
signal mounds, extending down the valley.
By lighting watch fires it would have taken
but a few moments to have sent a signal from
the north to the inhabitants of the south.
These seem to have been the outposts of the
Mound Builder's empire, as they are not found
south or west.
The mounds in the valleys belong to two
classes, and are the most interesting remains.
One kind contains human bones, with various
articles of pottery, such as water jugs, cups,
bowls and vases that are often filled with a
black mould, as if they had contained some
kind of food. These are burial mounds, and
were erected only over the chieftains, priests,
and perhaps over the ashes of distingushed
families. But one skeleton, wrapped in bark
or matting, and often within a rude vault of
wood or stone, is found in each. The larger
mounds, like the great mound in Western Vir-
ginia, contain many more, and are likely the
burial places of kings, who, like those in
Scythia of old, were interred with their nearest
kin and earthly riches. The greater part of
the people were buried in large cemeteries, the
remains of which are frequently found. Cre-
mation and urn burial were practised to a
limited extent.
The other class of mounds are near the en-
closures. In them, and on the original sur-
face of the ground, are dish-shaped altars of
burnt clay. Among the ashes that cover them
are the offerings, such as implements and orna-
ments, of bone, copper and mica, pipes and
carvings in stone and ornamental pottery, all
much injured by the heat. Above these
the mounds are raised in successive layers of
sand and clay. They are called the sacrificial
mounds, and are always found in what may be
called the sacred enclosures, or rather system
of enclosures. These are sometimes very large,
having as many as fifteen miles of embank-
ments, and covering four square miles ; it is
impossible to gain a complete idea of what
they were, as wood must have been used a
great deal in their construction ; they are,
then, only the ruined foundations that have
survive after the long lapse of a^es.
The sacred enclosures were built in regular
figures, circles, squares and polygons, and
have the ditch along the inner side of the
walls. They are connected together directly,
or by parallel lines of earth ; a small mound is
on the inside of each gateway. Considering
that, to-day, with all our mechanical aids,
it would take many thousand men many
months to erect similar works, we can gain
some idea of what a dense population filled our
valleys ; but the modem Indians have no tra-
ditions of them. They were a simple, la-
borious people, given to the practice of agri-
culture, and acquainted witK many of the
ennobling arts. Maize was their principal
food. They were great smokers. The use of
tobacco formed a part of their religious duties.
Axes and other household implements of hard
stone, finely carved pipes, spears, arrow heads,
hoes of various flint-like substances, and taste-
ful ornaments of slate, attest their skill in
working in stone. They mined the native
copper on the shores of Lake Superior, and
beat it into many useful and ornamental
forms. The pottery from the mounds is of
fine workmanship and often of an elegant de-
sign. They wove a cloth from the twisted
fibres of bark. Sea shells, mica from North
Carolina and obsidian from Mexico, found in
Ohio mounds, show that they had a commerce.
From the great perfection of their circles and
squares, we conclude that they had a standard
of measurement and a mode of determining
angles. They had a written language.
The features depicted on their pipes, and a
few authentic crania, show them to have been
an intellectual race. Their features were more
regular than those of the Indian. The nose
was straight ; the mouth, small; the lips, thin;
the chin and upper lip, short ; contrasting
greatly with the coarse features of the latter.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
21
ir form of government was undoubtedly
ic, or a great centralized power ; the
r part of the people not being free men.
religion was the blackest paganism ;
orshipped the elements, especially fire,
er with the sun and moon, which were
Hzed by the oft recurring circles and
ts. Nothing was too costly to be
1 on their altars ; minerals and rare
5 brought from a distance, and, as the
d bones tell us, even human victims, on
occasions. How imposing, could we
ate the countless ages and see the vast
sions wending their ways through the
venues from the sacred squares to the
Itars in the mystic circles,
ut fifteen hundred years ago these
rful people, after a long and valiant de-
were driven by some hostile hordes from
>rth to the Sierras and plains of Mexico
entral America. There, like a concen-
fiame, their civilization shone forth with
)led splendor. " The history of their fall,
• strange monuments could speak, would
jrhaps, of heroic defence of homes and
and of daring achievements in siege
sault." R. M. A.
*♦»»
LISKS; FROM AN ENGINEERING
STANDPOINT.
Paper I. — Quarrying.
las been my privilege, during the past
nonths, to consult such authorities as
ison, De Roziere and Herschel, in con-
n with a course of study on ancient
jcture. It is, therefore, with a belief
shall succeed in giving my readers some
»le as well as interesting knowledge, in
2 condensed form than they can else-
obtain it, that I enter upon the subject
me. In spite of our boasting, and in
)f the machinery — which some one has
styled " intelligent " — of the daring
n world, we fail in explanation of the
ds pursued by the Egyptian engineers,
ave commanded the admiration of man-
:hroughout all succeeding generations,
io much in the way of preface, I will
;d to the special topic of this paper,
existing obelisks, with but two or three
:ions, are of red granite, from Syene
lan) ; whence the name. Syenite, as
i to a certain combination of minerals,
quarries are situated upon the banks of
le, below the first cataract ; thus placing
^autiful stone within easy reach of the
art centres of the Egyptian kingdom. The
rock is hard as iron, and as a result, takes a
brilliant polish. Another quality, which
should not be overlooked, is the remarkable
absence of veins of foreign matter, or of any
other defects which are usually as common.
But, how were these granite, blocks cut from
the parent rock ? How could workmen, with-
out steel, as is generally believed, chisel into
shape the rock, when at last it lay a rough and
unformed mass upon the quarry floor ? Let
us consider the first question.
There have been three totally different
theories advanced as to the method of separ-
ating the masses of rock. Let me briefly re-
view each :
1. Cleavage by a sudden hlaiiK — This theory
holds that the block to be detached was
roughly squared up on five sides, leaving one
face, a vertical one, uncut from the solid rock ;
that the line of this face was marked out by a
chisel, cut about two inches deep, and that
upon a blow from some great machine, the
block was separated, after the manner of glass
cutting. The statements of other explorers,
however, does not bear Belzoni out in his ar-
gument. Indeed, I should like to see plans of
any machine which would distribute a blow
evenly over loo linear feet, and also the rock
after the fracture had been made. I know
that machines have been sketched by men of
fertile imagination ; but, as we have no ancient
drawings of such machines, it is fair to assume
they never existed outside of modern paper
and ink. Again, it is hard to believe that a
cut two inches deep would be sufficient to in-
sure the even splitting of a granite mass at
least thirty feet long and four feet thick.
2. Cleavage by fire, — Well authenticated
statements are not wanting in support of this
theory. Long ago, in describing the gold
mines of Egypt, Agatharcides states that the
rocks were split by burning wood. Unfortu-
nately, he has left no account of the methods
employed. Sir J. F. Herschell adduces testi-
mony from the granite quarries of India. He
says : " In the granite quarries near Seringa-
patam, the most enormous blocks are separ-
ated from the solid rock by the following
neat and simple process : The workmen, hav-
ing found a portion of the rock sufficiently
extensive, and situated near the edge of the
part already quarried, lay bare the upper sur-
face and mark on it a line in the direction of
intended separation, along which a groove is
cut with a chisel about a couple of inches in
depth. Above this groove a narrow line of
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
fire is then kindled, and maintained till the
rock below is thoroughly heated, immediately
on which, a line of men and wiHnen, each pro-
vided with a pot full of cold water, suddenly
sweep off the ashes, and pour the water into
the heated groove, when the rock at once
splits with a clear fracture. Square blocks,
of six feet in the side, and upwards of eighty
feet in length, are sometimes detached by this
method,"*
3. Ckaoage ly wedges. — The grooves de-
scribed by Herschell have been repeatedly
observed in the quarries of Egypt. In the
latter instance, however, there are cut holes
— obviously for wedges, either of wood or
iron. Besides these holes, others have been
found in which the groove is wanting. Upon
these differences are based ihe distinctions
between the use of wood and iron. The
wooden wedges were used in conjunction
with the grooves. Well dried wood was in-
serted in these holes, and water poured
thereon. The uniform swelling of the wood
produced a most satisfactory fracture. Wil-
kinson is the only one of the writers accepting
this explanation who thinks it worth while to
mention that the grooves were probably to
direct the course of the water, and not merely
to mark the line of fracture. He believes this
to be the only true miihod, and asserts that
" the percussion of iron wedges could never
be instantaneous along the whole length of the
block, and the risk would be incurred of break-
ing the shaft into at least two pieces."
Another method of employing iron wedges
hardly comes under Wilkinson's criticism. It
is described by Col. Wilks as a Hindoo solu-
tion of the problem :
" The workmui looks for > plain, naked surface of
sufficient extent, and a stratum [Col. Wilks cotifessea
that this tenn ii ungeological, u applied to granite, but
says that no other word will well describe the kind of
I from which these large blocks are taken] of
trimming. The spot being determined, ■ line is marked
along Ihe direction of the intended lepaiBlIon, and a
groove, about two inches wide and decpi is cut with a
chisel : or, if tile stratum be thin, holes of Ihe same
e h>lf c
3 feet di
are cut along the line. In either case, all being now
Teadj, a workman with a imail chisel is placed at each
hole or interval, and wilh small iron mallets the line of
men keep beating on the chisels, bal not with violence,
from left to right or from right to left ; this opention,
as Ihey say, is sometimes continued for two or three
days before the separation is effected. Those who have
seen the mode of culling, as it is called, of plate glass,
will not be surprised at this beating from one end, and
■Corrliiie: Bfl/ptiio Ubctb^
ibe lisinre also taking place from one end lo the olkn.
This is Ihe mode by which the Seringapatam itooc m
sepal aled. ''*
Frequently, according to some, rarely ac-
cording to De Roziere, saws were used It
has been conclusively proved that the metal
used was copper, and to give it the power
requisite to attack the stone, sand was used.
This instrument was employed on deep ver-
tical cuttings, where to the present day the
marks of saw teeth and copper oxide an
found.
f have tacitly assumed up to this point that
the last cutting was always a vertical one.
This, however, is not the united opinion of
Egyptologists. Cooper says that the stone wti
supported from beneath until nearly saved
through, when it was allowed to break off bf
its own weight. In support of this belief, b£
cites the instances of sarcophagi, now in tbe
British museum, which have a rough appear-
ance at the lower edge. Gorringe, on the
other hand, regards this as the result of acci-
dent, and not indicative of the usual method.
He states in evidence that the unfinished ob^
lisk now lying in the quarry (Assouan) i)
" evidence that, at leait in the extraction of
blocks intended as obelisks, the under hori-
zontal surface was the last to be separated'
In cutting this last surface, supports of native
rocks were left at regular intervals, until it
was possible to jack the mass up with beanuf
then the rock supports were cut away, and the
block was free.
Now, if Gorringe {and Wilkinson) is right ia
such an opinion, it is only when the third
method of cleavage was employed. And, eYtn
in that case, we have his own words, when he
says : " Both Gau and Ebers remark upon the
great care shown by the Egyptian workmen
that the valuable syenite should nowhere be
cut to waste." Would not it be a great waste
of syenite, and time as well, to cut the block
free in the manner just stated ?
1 have said that only in the third case can
such a method, as that of leaving the under
face till the last, apply. Take away from the
first method the assistance of gravity, and a
powerful machine might batter for ages against
the marked-out block, with no prospect of
ever getting the latter free entire. In the
second case, it would be unnatural that titt
should be built against the rock and waiei
afterwards dashed against the rock, when the
fire might be built above and the water merely
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
23
ition this point in regard to the facts,
, if it can be definitely settled whether
face was a horizontal or a vertical
will be able to determine the method
jd in separating the masses of rock.
Chic.
JULIUS CiESAR OF SHAKES-
PEARE.
I we find the character of one of the
men that have ever lived, portrayed
greatest dramatist that the world has
;n, we would naturally expect to find
er of his intellect and the wonderful
>f his nature delineated and emphasized
a Shakespeare could. However, the
St does not seem to recognize the
»s of Caesar ; since, in the acts in which
ide to figure, he does nothing, except
few pompous words. He is entirely at
\ with that Caesar whose character, as
»y history, was as compact and firm as
jspeare drew from Plutarch the histori-
ines and most of the characters of his
** Julius Caesar." Plutarch's biog-
►f Caesar is very imperfect ; but this
dly afford sufficient explanation of the
t inadequacy of Shakespeare's repre-
n, for the latter does still less justice
r than Plutarch had done.
;ms reasonable to suppose that the
St, making the attempt of the republi-
main theme, could not venture to
00 great an interest in Ciesar. It was
ry to keep him in the background, and
that view of him which gave a reason
conspiracy. If the true character of
ad been fully represented, it is evi-
at such men as Brutus and Cassius
ever have been brought into the prom-
in which they are presented to us.
er there is noble in Brutus or Cassius,
ir showing at the expense of the char-
Caesar.
* is evidence that the dramatist really
erstand the mightiness of Caesar ; for,
in the play, he delivers himself so
It of his true character, yet both his
and foes represent him much nearer
he really was. This is especially
)le in the speech of Mark Antony over
body. In the latter part of the drama,
tness and right of mastership over the
•e vindicated. Caesar's blood cements
ire which the conspirators wished to
destroy in its infancy. He proves as power-
ful in death as in life, so that Brutus exclaims :
" Oh, Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet ! Thy
spirit walks abroad, and turns our swords
into our own proper entrails."
Whilst other men have been reputed great
in one department of human genius, it was
declared by the voice of antiquity that Caesar
was great in all. As a statesman, a general, a
legislator and as a historian, he has never been
surpassed. Although a short period of time
intervened between his accession to power as
the head of the Roman Empire and his death,
yet it sufficed for him to undertake measures
that have been a lasting benefit to mankind.
He it was who instituted the " Julian calen-
dar," the inaccuracy of which was so slight that
it did not require correction for sixteen cen-
turies. A more extensive project that he
began was the geographical survey of the
Roman Empire. This work was not com-
pleted until some time after his death. He
also commenced the herculean task of collect-
ing and remodelling all the fragments of Ro-
man law into one compact code of laws, but
his untimely death prevented the accomplish-
ment of this undertaking until about six cen-
turies later, when Justinian finished it.
These and other such projects were en-
gaging the attention of Caesar at a time when
Shakespeare represents him as lording it over
Rome, and strutting around Rome with the
boastfulness of one who would say : " Hush !
for I, Caesar, a demigod, speak."
If Brutus erred more than Cassius in the
means that he employed in the assassination
of Caesar, they both erred equally in their
final aim. The restoration of the Republic
was a plan no longer feasible, as the people
had become unfit for political freedom. Noth-
ing did so much to set them in love with
royalty as the reflection that their beloved
Caesar, the consummation of Roman genius,
was foully murdered for aspiring to it. The
characters of Brutus and Cassius are best de-
scribed by the saying that the former " hated
tyranny," the later "hated tyrants."
Shakespeare shows Caesar's contempt of
danger as well as his unbelief in prophecy,
when the soothsayer cries out : " Beware
the Ides of March ! " and Caesar answers :
** He is a dreamer, let us leave him." This
feature of Caesar's character agrees with his-
tory. However, taken as a whole, the drama
of Julius Caesar does not do justice to one
who "bestrided this narrow world like a
colossus." TiTAX.
24
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
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U rnOLLfor the brave, the brave who are
1 no more." With this number the
old board of editors goes out of existence. It
would not be very becoming if we were to end
our career amid wails and lamentations) hurl-
ing accusations against all that have neglected
to acknowledge the grandeur of our work, or
have failed to assist us in our task. No, in-
deed ; it would ill become us to leave this
editorial vale of tears without being at peace
with all the world. So let us, instead, strike
the lyre of praise; let us thank all for their
warm support; let us rejoice at the numerous
reforms that were wrought through our
humble means; and, throwing off the bondage
of editorial slavery, let us pass through the
golden gates to the land of freedom and of
criticism.
-♦-♦-♦"
WE noticed in the New York Times of
January 28 a letter from a graduate of
Yale. He touches mainly on the widely-
spread evil of the marking system. Accord-
ing to him, the instructors at most American
colleges do not attempt to teach, but sit
merely as judges of a student's knowledge
of a lesson* and ^*panip" him in recitalioB.
We are glad to be able to state that oitr Iiud-
tnte is far in advance of other colleges in dut
respect, goings as it does, in some depaitmentSi
almost to the other extreme. Scudents eone
here to be /m^i/, and, as a mle, tfaqr »
taught. As far as Uarmng is concened,
there is no reason why a man should attend
any school, no matter how great its reputation,
merely to show that he has Uanud a lesam.
Notwithstanding the reasonableness of the
above, we have often heard students complsm
of some imaginary injustice dcme to them in
the marks on recitations. How is it, then,
that men coming to an institution to get
knowledge end by requiring marks, and appear
satisfied if the latter are satisfactory, no matter
how poor their knowledge of a subject 0117
be ? We believe that the chief cause of this
may be found in the fact that outsiders, parents
of pupils, and other interested persons judge
of a student's knowledge from his ** marks* —
making them an absolute yard-measure of a
person's learning! Convince the world at
large of the fact that '" marks" are no criterion,
that " marks " are not synonyms of knowledge,
that " marks " are not always righteously and
fairly earned, and the uselessness and absurd-
ity of this idolon scolae will induce even con-
servative college professors to use it more
sparingly.
* 4 » »
To the Editors of the fndicator :
It is not my object to pose as a critic, nor
to find any fault whatever with either the
Indicator or its management; but one article
in the January number, an able one in many
respects, seems to merit criticism from the
fact that it contains words highly objectional
to a race that certainly deserves better treat-
ment by Americans. I refer to Chir's,and
quote the passage: " Soon the man who
manipulates the street sweeper will sign his
name (if, indeed, he is able to write) Patrick
O'Hoolihan, M. E. It looks well in print,
doesn't it?" Every one knows that that
name means an Irishman, and this, in the eyes
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
25
ic," is a synonym for an ignorant man,
rant that it is doubtful if he is able to
But " what's in a name ? " Michael
^ sounds about as Irish as Patrick
ihan, and he must have had considerable
ood in him, or he never would have
t name. Does ** Chic '* think it looks
print ? Does the fact that Prof. Tyn-
i Sir Wm. Thomson are Irish render
Dntributions to science any the less
e?
on earth can astronomers expect to
progress if they persist in looking
I a telescope made by that Irishman,
loss ? Prof. McCullogh, of Trinity
, Dublin, it has often been said, is one
ablest mathematicians of our time ;
> must be a mistake, for he is Irish,
for the sake of an argument, I will
hat they are an ignorant race ; then
sk the question : Why do you blame
There was a time when Ireland was
It of learning ; her scholars were
I to with the greatest reverence at the
>f Charlemagne and in the Roman
s, and learned men from the various
es eagerly visited them at their homes;
nasteries were famous for their learn-
i their libraries ; there the arts were
;d — music, architecture, and the work-
metals.
ere the languages of Greece and Rome
udied with the passionate zeal which
ids distinguished the Humanistic
5 of the revival of learning,"* * * and,
ly enough, one of the oldest manu-
3f Horace, that in the library of Berne,
en in Celtic characters with notes and
ataries in the Irish language,
talembert says that ** of all nations the
Saxons derived most profit from teach-
the Irish schools, and that "Alfred
and received his education in an Irish
sity." About the end of the eighth
' the Danes made their first descent
Ireland, and for nearly a hundred
[le " sea kings " held sway until they
nally driven from the island. Then
Ingland, as has ever been her policy,
le Irish nation was weak and bleeding
er century of combat, and once more
mtry was under foreign rule. For
long centuries has she struggled for
hich all Americans, and all beings
of the name of men, prize dearer than
Derty! For seven centuries have her
people suffered oppression and murder un-
paralleled in history, inflicted by a govern-
ment that to the cruelty of Nero added the
hypocrisy of law to justify its deeds.
I call it murder, and history will uphold
the term. Here is how an English author,
A.D. 1647, preached the extermination of
Irishmen:
" I begge upon my hands and knees that the
expedition against them may be undertaken
while the hearts and hands of our souldiery
are hot, to whom I will be bold to say briefly:
Happy is he that shall reward them as they
have served us; and cursed be he that shall
do the work of the Lord negligently: Cursed
be he that holdeth back his sword from blood! ! /
Yea, cursed be he that maketh not his sword
stark drunk with Irish blood ; that doth not
recompense them double for their hellish
treachery (all enemies of England are * treach-
erous ' and 'rebels' — Washington included);
that maketh not heaps upon heaps! ! and their
country a dwelling-place for Dragons y an aston-
ishment to Nations ! Let not that eye look for
pity nor the hand be spared that spares them,
and let him be accursed that curses them not bit-
terly ! !'*
In less than two years after the above was
written, Cromwell went into Ireland with ten
thousand men, and no one can truthfully say
that he did not carry out its precepts to the
best of his ability. After the Drogheda garri-
son had surrendered, he put to the sword
" every man related to the garrison, and all
citizens who were Irish, man, woman and
child." So says Clarendon, and he was an
Englishman. Cromwell, himself, impiously
laying the " glory " of it to God, boasted that
not thirty escaped with their lives; "those
that did are in safe custody for the Barba-
does" — for he sent the Irish by thousands, as
SLAVES, to the West Indies and other Ameri-
can colonies.
I pass over the famine of i74i,when thou-
sands died by the roadside, and also the upris-
ing of '98, when the noblest of patriots, Rob-
ert Emmet, was " hanged, drawn and quar-
tered," and, according to an eye witness, *the
dogs of Dublin lapped his blood from the gal-
lows-foot, in Thomas Street " — down to with-
in the memory of thousands of men living to-
day. I refer to the famine of 1848, when
thousands died the horrible death of starva-
tion, and thousands more fled to America and
other countries, while their (?) government sat
calmly looking on, scarcely thirty-five* miles
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
away, never offering to help them, but rather
to add to their misery, by legislating for a
system that robbed the poor wri-tches of their
all, in order that the princes and lards of the
nation might roll in wealth. Had it not been
for the charity of America, thousands more
must have met the same fate; as it was, after
all was over, it was found that the country
had lost TWO millions of its people. Truly,
has their beloved Goldsmith said:
'' 111 Tares the land to hulening IIU ■ prey.
Where wealth accumulates and men decay."
(I think it is admitted that he was able to
write.)
Still the battle goes on, and the Irish in
Parliament, to-day, are struggling; as their
forefathers did centuries ago; it is only the
indomitable courage of the race that renders
their conquest impossible.
That they are courageous, can be seen by
the history of almost any country. America
has certainly no reason to complain, for they
shed their blood in her defence as freely as for
their own dear Erin; therefore, I say they de-
serve better treatment from American hands.
You may wonder why one bom in .\merica
should be so intensely Irish, but I am sure,
were you in his place, you too would feel the
blush come to your cheek when insults were
thrown at the race from whence you sprung;
you, too, would feel the blood quicken in your
veins when you thought of the miseries and
oppression heaped upon the land of your fore-
fathers; for
'' The blood of a race thai is wronged beats longest
of all :
For long as the wrong lasts each drop of it quiv-
ers with wralh ;
Ami sure ai the race Uvea — no mailer what fate
ma J befall,
There's a Voice wilh a Song that forever is
haunting its path,
" Aye, thJ! very hand that trembles through this very
Lay hid, ages gone, in the hand of some fore-
father Celt,
With a 5word in its grasp — if stronger, not truer
Irish American.
We look a card last week in one of the
Sophomore recitations. It lacked distinctness
and was very erratic in form. The explana-
tion is simple. In our experience we hare
found that the quality of distinrt fromtviatim
is nit popular with the students. It is veiy
annoying, during a recitation, to have a mu
in the front row rise to answer the profenor,
and then speak in a mumbling tone, scarcdf -
audible even to the professor. The rest of the
class gain no benefit from such a recitatioo;
and even the professor, in his knowledge of
what is correct, often imagines the correct
answer to have been given, while the student,
conceals his ignorance in a convenient mutter-
ing tone.
In order to obtain as characteristic a onl
as possible, we went to Prof. Wall's room.
Here we found the professor frequently sayii^
" Will you repeat your statement, Mr. Blank;
I missed a word or two." The curve wb
broken at these points, and changed fonD,W
that one might almost have said that eadi
branch was a separate card. We have oiled
up the troublesome part, and replaced tbe
half inch by an inch steam pipe. By tbeK
means, we expect to overcome the resistann
" Turn to the x$if^'i, page."
What's that, I hear ? The Hoboken rinl
for a gymnasium ?
The Sophs, have a new class room. Whist!
don't say anything.
The glee club and their latest attraction,
" the whistling boy," scored a great success in
Brooklyn.
"Oh, for a thousand tongues," sighed the
Freshman, as he tried to get a word in edge-
wise at class meeting.
The mangled heap thrown away by one of
the High School Profs, is said to be all that
was left of a poor Prep.
The " Black Hole of Calcutta," as the Sophs,
designate their class room, is lighted by a
beautiful chandelier with one burner.
The Sophs, are rather backward about dis-
carding their milk bottles. Do they think the
Freshmen have been living on air all Ibis
time ?
THE STEVENS INDICATOR,
27
photographer was around again to get
r picture of '87. He knows where to
vhen he wants a fine one. " They are
)ut will be better."
essor, lecturing on the microscope :
► you see that sheet of paper? You
it's smooth, don't you ? Well, it isn't,
covered with fuzz, like a Freshman's
Freshman class presented Mr. Idell,
Christmas, with a handsome water
', as a slight token of their appreciation
^reat kindness to them during his brief
as instructor of mathematics.
!ier Goose, applied to the Freshman :
Multiplication is vexation ;
Division is as bad ;
The rule of three perplexes me,
And fractions drives me mad.
Seniors now begin to dream nightly of
It is becoming a nightmare. They
the subject about every other day,
er two or three weeks more of rambling
cpect to find a pasture suitable to their
We wish them all success.
class meeting, held by the Freshmen,
llowing officers were elected : Hoxie.
tnt ; Peck, Vice-president ; Mack, Secre-
Finch, Treasurer; Harrison, Historian ;
t, Chaplain, After a spirited discussion
de issues," the meeting adjourned.
has any one seen Donald ? Donald,
loved " yaller dog." We miss his gentle
rom our midst. It cannot be that he
ne from among us forever. How could
air the thought, much less the reality.
100 ! Booh hoo ! Send us a towel !
following arithmetical problem pre-
lome difficulty and is rather interesting
t account.
cat and a half kills a rat and a half in
ute and a half, how many cats will it
) kill one hundred rats in fifty minutes ?
enior approached the janitor the other
nd was heard asking " Who is that
e gentleman in the library looking dis-
ate and evidently perplexed to find
V out ? "
W. J.: "Hoh! that is Mr.-er-a-er
n is his name."
'. : "Mr. S., what word is derived from
ise of taste ? "
S.— "Smell." (Class laugh up and
their backs and around their paper col-
lars. Prof, tries to turn inside out, but can't.
Mr. S. tries to evaporate, but he also gets
stuck. Red lights and grand crawl.)
The committee on " class day " for the com-
mencement week of the Senior class has been
discharged, which virtually amounts to saying
that there will be no " class day " for '86.
The members of the class do not appear to be
enthusiastic over, it, and the dismissal of the
committee will probably end the matter.
The '* missing link'* and Freshman 2
Were walking out on Sunday ;
Said '* missing link/' to Freshman 2,
** To-morrow will be Monday."
** By gracious me ! " said Freshman 2,
*' How came you by that knowledge ? '*
Said " missing link/' to Freshman 2,
"I got it at the college."
Adding insult to injury.
Prof, (to student busily drawing), " Mr.
M — , that is a very peculiar way to draw."
Mr. M — : " Hang you, I can't help it."
Prof. : " But you must help it."
Mr. M— , (looking up) : '^Oh ! ! ! ! I beg
your pardon, professor, I thought you were
one of the boys."
'89 has produced a very peculiar specimen.
It wears kid gloves in the shop and is very
loth to get a spot on its immaculate over-
alls. It wears glasses and a nice, little blonde
bang, and it sits carefully perched on a clean
pine board, while its partner works the lathe.
How nice it must be to have one of those, '89.
Are they expensive ?
A Freshman, who hails from one of the
Southern States, was discoursing at length on
the advantages of his section of the country
for the smelting of ores. The strongest point
in his argument was that " the climate was so
much warmer, it required much less fuel to
melt the ore ; and, consequently, they could
sell much cheaper than in the North."
In selecting " Bloxam's Work on Metals,"
Prof. Leeds has, in our opinion, furnished the
Juniors with a text -book exactly suited to
their needs. It treats the subject in a clear
and concise form, which, with the valuable
additions made by the professor in explaining
certain parts at greater length, ought to give
the class as complete a knowledge as could be
obtained in the limited time at their command.
Prof. Lackland polished the Sophs, in fine
style a short time since. After the shop had
started, the whole class went up to a class
28
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
meeting without consulting his Royal High-
ness, whereupon his R. H. immediately be-
came " tiled " to a considerable extent. So
much so, that he procured his class list and
marked the whole class absent, notwithstand-
ing the fact that they were absent less than
fifteen minutes out of the three hours. Hur-
rah for liberty and justice!
Feb. I, 1886, was remarkable for the num-
ber of phenomena occuring at the Institute.
About eleven o'clock a certain Mr. Denton
was discovered lecturing to section No. 2 of
the senior class. On the same day, the dis-
tilled water and C. P. (?) H. CI. supply failed
in the Chemical Laboratory. Complaint was
made that the standards in the Physical
Laboratory had shortened one ten thousandth
of an inch. Galvanometers spun about like
pin-wheels, and the meter shrunk itself out of
adjustment.
There is talk of turning the Hoboken Roller
Rink into a gymnasium for the Institute. An
item was published recently in one of the
New York papers to that effect. We have
heard nothing from the faculty in repaid to it
as yet. If the report is a true one, it will be
most heartily welcomed by all the students,
for if we ever were in need of a thing, it is a
gymnasium, and it has always been the aim of
the Indicator to push on any movement in
that direction, and if there is any hope of one
now, the Indicator will not let the matter
rest here.
'88 has done what no other Sophomore class
has done before. She has managed by dint
of talking and scheming to get a hat room for
her own exclusive use. It is the room pre-
viously used by Prof. Thurston. The ven-
tilation is somewhat faulty, and in conse-
quence of its defect in this respect, it has re-
ceived the appropriate name of " The Black
Hole of Calcutta." Fifteen or twenty stu-
dents staying in the room for a short time will
make the atmosphere anything but a desirable
one to live in, and while *88 thanks the Insti-
tute for what it has already done to the room,
the class would be doubly thankful if the
Institute would continue the good work and
take measures to make the air wholesome,
thus giving the members of the class a place
where they can eat luncheon or study, as they
desire.
There seems to be an everlasting and natu-
ral feud existing between the " Preps." and
the young rei)resentatives of the population of
Hoboken. For some time past, there has
occurred, every noon, a spirited contest be-
tween these opposing factions. A miniature
Waterloo, as it were — rocks, bricks, bottles
and coal being the favorite articles of warfare,
intermixed with some very choice expressions
and names. It is rather hard to say which
party is victorious ; but it's very easily sea
that it is becoming somewhat dangerous to
pedestrians and uninterested persons. A three
pound chunk of coal or a glass bottle is not
extraordinarily interesting when unceremon-
iously introduced ; so if the Freshmen wish to
distinguish themselves, they have the oppor-
tunity of doing so by exterminating the
'* Preps."
'88 has every reason to be satisfied with the
decided improvements which have been made
in the Department of Chemistry. Formerly
the Sophomore class experienced great diffi-
culty in mastering their chemistry with any
degree of satisfaction, either to the professor or
to themselves, even some of the best students
being conditioned. This was owing to the
many different topics to be studied and the
great difficulty in selecting the important
ones. But Prof. Leeds has greatly simplified
the subject by dictating questions before the
recitations and making the recitations on the
questions dictated, also by taking the exami-
nation questions from those dictated during
the term. This gives the students a specific
amount of work to do, and with a reasonable
amount of study any student ought to be able
to pass a good examination if not an excellent
one. The improvement is certainly a long
needed one, and Prof. Leeds is deser>'ing of
much credit for the change which he has
made.
Glee Club. — In answer to an invitation
from the Young Peoples* Association of the
Washington Avenue Baptist Church of Brook-
lyn, a double quartette from the Glee Club
sang in the parlors of the church, on the
evening of January 25. The invitation was
given through Mr. P'ield, who is Business
Manager of the club, and also an officer of
the Young Peoples' Association. The even-
ing was an inclement one, but notwith-
standing this fact the rooms were filled to
overflowing. The entertainment consisted of
reading, instrumental and vocal music; the
club appearing three times with as many en-
cores. They were very favorably received and
were loudly applauded. After the entertain-
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
29
v^as over a vote of thanks was tendered
club for their contribution to the pro-
te and for their kindness in coming
a foreign country.'*
Brainard kindly assisted as " warbler "
Ithough the club showed the need of
:e considerably they did very well con-
ig that they have had none since last year,
en selected for the double quartette being
t year's men. However, the club has
practising again and under the able
ship of Mr. Cotiart they hope to do
good work in the future. After the
;es were finished Mr. Field gathered in
boys," and conducted them upstairs
he satisfied the " inner man " with ice
and cake, the occasion being one of the
ly socials given by the association. A
time followed, and after another song
e club, by most urgent request, the
ing broke up and everyone went home
d humor.
< # » *
PORSSF^fillS.
'79.
. W. Dashiell is now on another sec-
f the new aqueduct, being with Brown &
rd, contractors.
'82.
LNON H. Rood has the position of assist-
iperintendent of the Jeanesville Iron
», at Jeanesville, Penn.
'84.
[ES S. Alden has been very ill with ner-
)rostration, but is now recovered and is
well. .gj
jiRY Abbey is with the Cowles Electric
ng Co., at Lockport, N. Y.
¥iN BuRHORN may be addressed, in care
;chell & Warden, boiler manufacturers,
lelphia.
N RusBY is another of the Stevens grad-
who are giving the united force of their
to improve the method of manufacture,
y the United Gas Improvement Co., at
lelphia.
t£RT SiLBER is with the Otis Elevator
Jew York City.
•87.
1.. Brownell, formerly of '87, is taking
se at Harvard.
E. G. CoLDEWAY has been very sick with
pneumonia at his home in Louisville, Ky. He
expects to enter the Sheffield Scientiftc School
as soon as his health will permit.
A TABLE OF COMMON UNITS.
«
«
a
«
a
«<
It
u
it
u
Horse power = 33000 foot pounds per min.
= 550 foot pounds per sec.
= 746 X 10' ergs per sec.
= 7.460 megergs per sec.
= 75.9 kilograms per sec.
= 1.01385 force de cheval.
= 746 Watts.
Force de cheval = 75 kilograms per sec.
= 542.48 foot pounds.
= 0.9863 horse power.
= 736 Watts.
Watt = 0013405 horse power.
= 10' ergs.
= 10 megergs.
= •-^ kilograms per sec.
= 0.1029 kilograms per sec.
B. of T. unit = 1000 Watts per hour.
C. G. S. unit = erg per second.
Megerg = lo' ergs per sec.
Watt = lo** ergs per sec.
The deep boring being sunk by the German
government near Schladebach, with the ob-
ject, especially, of obtaining trustworthy data
concerning the rate of increase of the earth's
temperature toward the interior, has at present
given information corroborative of what has
been obtained elsewhere. At the beginning of
this year the bore had reached the depth of
1,392 meters, which is believed to be the
lowest yet reached. The temperature at suc-
cessive stages is ascertained by a special ther-
mometer, the principle of construction being
that as the heat increases the mercury will
expand so as to flow over the lip of an open
tube. The difference of the overflows will
give the rate of increase of the temperature.
It has been ascertained that the temperature
at the depth of 1,392 meters was 49 deg. cent.,
or 120 deg. Fah. If the temperature increases
regularly at this rate, the boiling point of water
ought to be reached at a depth of 3,000 meters,
or nearly two miles, and at 45 miles we
should And the heat at which platinum melts.
This would go to show that the rigid earth's
crust cannot be more than about one-ninetieth
of its radius ; but the rate of increase is very
different in different districts.
THR STEVENS INDICATOR.
The Hespenati comes to us from the Uni-
versity of Nebraska. We have placed it with
great pleasure upon our exchange list. Neat
in apiicarance, replete with college notes, it
will ever be a welcome visitor. But how
al)oiit literary or scienlific reading, friend
Hesperian ?
The Troy Palytfchnk ha.s set us a good
examjile hy offering to "advertise all tmoks,
insiruments or furnitvire that students may
wish to dispose of, free of (karge. Adver-
tisers must state description of goods briefly,
and may stale prices or not, as they please.
If they du not wish their names published, we
will give their addresses, on application, to
purchasers," Can't Stevens work this scheme
too?
In regard lo the <iuestion, " Is the higher
education of woman injurious to her health ?"
the Mistellany says, "One of our strongest
desires has been gratified, since it now seems
that we can say with confidence a higher
ediKatiun for women is in harmony with thai
vast taw of thr surx-ival of the fittest, which
guiiks Ihr aclivilii-s of the dim future." We
firmly helit-ve in collfgiate education for girls.
In striving good-n-iturfdiy for the mastery,
ihe maidfii lifts the youth far beyond his own
standard i>f study and fones him to exert his
jiiTwer to the utmost. As Uin^ as a girl keeps
from airing any fancied superiority of educa-
tion, she cannot be hurt by any course of
study, however extended.
In a summary of the past foot ball season,
the iNniCATiiR, in speaking at length of the
game with Pennsylvania, .says;
"The referee, unfortunately, wa- not ac-
(piainted wilh the rules of the game, and a
great deal of dissatisfaction was caused by his
decisions." We heartily echo the last sluie-
meut. though we are somewhat surprised that
it should come from Stevens, since the su-
]ireme ignorance of the referee was .always
turned tci the advantage nf the hiune team.
This was cspec;ially the case in the second
half, for while the li.'uie learn more than di>ub-
ledlheir More, the visitors only succeeded in
adding four points lo theirs, though the latter
had four times the points of their oppoiMnI
in the first half. Throughout the article tl
Indicator attributes the defeats of the Imt
tute team to incompetency in the referee, m
yet on more than one occasion the referee wi
an Institute man. As a matter of fact, hoi
ever, it is the most disheartening sort of a d
feat, that which is brought about through tt
ignorance, either willful or unintentiona], of d
referee, which, in the latter case, is often cause
by an excessive desire to be impartial to the eg
lege which he represents, — Pennsylvaimm,
REBUKED.
Onc« on n summer daj',
Far from Ihe beaten wvf,
Som« fairy bade me strajr —
Cupid, mayhap.
Under ■ leafy tree.
Whom ihould I chance to tee.
Whom, but my Rowlie,
Taking ■ nap !
There, in a lovely nook.
Screened from inlrader't look.
Near her neglecied book,
.Slumli'rinf; she lay.
What could a fellow do 7
I'ull me. sir. wouldn't you
Kneel nnd lake one or two
.\h, bul I broke llie spell !
<.)pcneil her eyes, and — well,
Could I do else than lell
//<,'!,• it was broke ?
Humbly forgraee I plead;
Sternly she sliook her head :
"Couldn'l you wail," she said,
"Till I awoke?"
— Martitrd Athvaite.
Rev. Josci)h Cook is superintending h
farm near 'riconderoga. The other day
lonely tram]), jiassing near the Cook " mowing
lot, heard a deep, sonorous voice cry out, lu
the call of a prophet : "Abandon the direi
progression to the straight thitherward, an
deviate by inclinatory and aberrant dexti
gyration into a dextral incidence." It w;
intimate .\mi-rica saying " Gee " to his oxei
The tramp fled for his life. The oxen crej
under the hay cart and criec. — yi'M/ow Um
rersitv Jfea.nn.
» /^l«0^, 1886. 3K
C0R5EA(5g.
|ff of 'PRa Itflof (9*r*a*) ;, .
ufR of rfAdoa RvoCon. ..
hcjiamat^r at a ^i^atotrMttr
[f*. ........
j-'^T^'jrrrjp,
srsyffNs ijfjircATon.
I
'STEVENS HIGH SCHOOJ
THE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT
— -jF Tur —
STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
EIVE8 STREET, bet. Sth ajid 61!-.. H?FCK!nr. !
OPENS SEPTEMBER
CxUDjOA^bii* tor ^taldatos oc the l-4iTi e,. ^ ....
Pill COURSES OF STUDY, PREPARATORY TO SCHnOLS OF ;:
JUNIOR OrPARTMENT,
SENIOR DEPARTMENT,
I t«rov« iciDtui
a{76.O0 PER ANNUM.
51BO.OO PER 4NNUM.
Cot OftCBloeuQi ajiply to eUa Ltbrftrlfto ol 6t«v«na ji^,i.^i.^^<
rr-
THE
jQfSeTe^s jRdi(iili8P.
Vol 3.
HOBOKEN, N. J., MARCH, 1886.
No. 3.
THE FALL OF THE LEAF.
oold ! cold ! cold !
the now, with its soft, white fold,
Asipieul on the frozen ground.
-And the trees that stand around
to thirer and shake their hoary heads,
_ vUsper together as the old man treads
The now in the sad old grove.
! dark 1 dark !
Ae Bansion that stands in that park.
And the ivr encircles its walls.
And the ecnoes resound through its halls
the old man treads on its half-worn flags,
the chairs are all broken and the curtains in
ngf,
And the ceiling b blackened above.
nd! sad! lad!
the walls in their drapery clad ;
The old man sits in his low armchair,
Bit skin is yellow and white is his hair.
Cfcs are closed and his heart is at rest ;
Med b sank on his shrunken breast,
'And Ifae last leaf falls from the tree.
DiER BURNROTH.
* #» «
LEONORA.
George Eastwood was my especial chum
bomi companion at college. We had fin-
the first two years of study, and had
entered our junior year. Never, it seemed
mc^ hmd two men been born to so exactly
each other as George and myself. Meet-
as casual acquaintances, during en-
examinations for the Freshman class,
at fint kept together merely for that social
ly for which every man placed among
yearns. Habit, however, forced
If upon MS, and we at length grew so ac-
ned to being with each other, that any
able chance of our being separated would
been looked upon by us as a calamity.
led that excellent plan of studying
thus mutually improving ourselves,
*tfae same time strengthening the band of
ip which bound us, as we learned
about our common interests, and agreed
our opinions of the problems of our life
of life in general. Such were the rela-
between us, and such, we hoped and
dy believedi would be our relations through
life. Our last summer vacation had been
very pleasantly spent at my home, in a village
on the Hudson. George, at my urgent re-
quest, had stayed with us throughout the sum-
mer, and made himself so pleasant a com-
panion that the family, and especially my sis-
ter Grace, as I was afterward led to believe,
regarded him with as much favor as even I
did. We had returned to our college duties
in the Junior year, as I have said, but before
leaving home George had exacted a promise
that 1 should spend the Christmas holidays
with him at his home. "You won't find us
such a lively set as your own family, Fred,"
he said to me, "but you may be sure that
father and mother will unite with me in con-
tributing everything to make your visit as
pleasant as your family made mine," he
added. George was a great artist, and made
himself quite popular by drawing for the col-
lege papers and doing little works of art for
the fellows. "You ought to see my picture
of * Leonora,* " he used to say, " and you
shall, too, when you come out to my house."
Well, the holidays came at last, but as I had
a little business to attend to in New York,
George went on home first, leaving with me
many entreaties to hurry through and follow
him as soon as possible, in order to take ad-
vantage of the fine hunting which was offered
just at that time of the year. Within a few
days I had completed my business, and was
soon on my way to Montebrook, a wild little
place in the Alleghany Mountains. George
was overjoyed to see me, and almost carried
me to his home, where I was made so comfort-
able that 1 quite fell in love with the old
folks. After supper, we sat down to have a
little chat before retiring. " But," said
George, " we must not be late, for I want you
to come out before breakfast to-morrow and
fish for pickerel through the ice. It 's fun, I
assure you." Before long we said good night,
and George led me to my room. ** I have
hung up my picture of * Leonora * in your
room, Fred," he explained, as he lit the lamp,
"but you must understand that you are to look
upon it with some respect, for it is my ideal,"
and with a laugh he went to his own room.
32
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
Although naturally curious^ I did not at
first look at George's picture, but sitting down
on a chair beside the crackling wood fire, I
fell into a thinking mood ; the kindness of
these good people carried my thoughts far off
to my own home. I must have been sitting
so for an hour, I think, when I awoke from my
reverie, and looked about the room. The first
thing that struck my eye was a painting which
hung over the chimney-piece, the life-size rep-
resentation of a girl's head. Never in my life
had I seen so beautiful a face ; and as the
flickering red light from the burning wood fell
upon the canvas the image seemed to be
imbued with life ; nay, she even smiled at me
once when a piece of fresh pine caught fire and
threw its lurid light over the room. To say I
was enchanted would do but scant justice to
my feelings ; I became convinced that when I
should meet the person from whom that por-
trait was taken, it would be my lot to fall in
love with her. To state the truth, I loved her
already. When I went to sleep that night my
mind was fully made up that George would
give me an introduction to this lovely girl,
whom it seemed I already knew so well.
The next day, in spite of the glorious fun
we had fishing in the morning, and the excite-
ment of preparing rabbit traps in the snow-
bound woods, it was with difficulty that I
could refrain from speaking about the sub-
ject that most filled my mind. However, that
evening we had a talk, and such a talk it was,
too ! How George did laugh at me, and how
foolish I felt when after pouring out my con-
fessions to him and entreating him to let me
meet my charming young lady as soon as
possible, I found that no such person existed.
** Did not I tell you that Leonora was my
ideal ? " said he, " the girl never lived, she is
the mere creation of my fancy, which I have
so represented on the canvas." I must say
that I was somewhat disappointed as 1 went
to my room that night, and yet, as I looked at
that lovely face, the lines softened by the
mellow light thrown upon it, it seemed to me
that never had artists* brush so advantage-
ously disputed nature's superiority in the
delineation of beauty in the human face.
The merits of the painting forced themselves
upon me more and more, until — shall I own
it — I became iufatuated with the picture
itself. As a work of art it did not impress
me so strongly ; but there seemed to be some-
thing so living, so real there that I could not
but admire and covet it. The next evening,
on telling George that I was in love with his
picture, he seemed to regard me with surprise
and pitv, " I tell you my dear boy," he in-
sisted, there is nothing in the painting itself;
that is not what caught your eye, and as you
express it, your heart. The ideal ty, whidi I
created myself and so happily transferred to
the canvas, is what lives for me. To all true
ardsts their works are alive ; whether, when
created, they exist only in the artist's mind,
or do truly live, is not for me to say ; but
this much I know, that my Leonora was eri-
dent to me, and was visible to my eyes long
before I painted that picture. In common with
other artists, I wish that people would look
upon and criticize art, not for its workman-
ship, but for the idealty which it represents."
These thoughts, new to me, filled my brain
that evening. Far into the night I sat in
my room, and meditated until I grew almost
wild with the richness, the perfection of the
fancy. The most fascinating imaginations ran
through my mind, and the longer I pondered,
the more plausible, the more possible, the
truer it seemed. My light burned low, and
things in the room assumed a shadowy aspect
I glanced up at Leonora ; how real she looked:
how her eyes were fixed upon me ; how grace-
fully her head inclined. "Of course, she
lives, " I thought, aloud. " Certainly I do,"
answered the sweetest voice that ever had
saluted my ears, and there she stood smiling,
nodding before me. " How strange you
mortals are," she added, looking at me in a
grave, sweet way, " why would you not be-
lieve in me before? Your friend, when he
created me, referred often, in his thoughts, to
you, and consequently I became associated
somehow with you. I knew, I felt that I was
made for you, and my love for your love. On
that first night when you looked at me, I tried
hard to make you understand me, but your
thoughts seemed turned in another direction,
and hope almost died within me." My heart
leaped with a strange intensity. "0, my
love," I ejaculated, looking into her eyes with
a feeling almost of worship, " I knew you
lived, but could not understand ; our spheres
are so different, and yet the world without
you would seem to me void." " But I live in
the world, too," she pleaded. " O, do bring
me into your sphere ; reach 'your hand across
that invisible something which separates us.'
I hesitated ; a confused consciousness of my
inability to do as she implored, made itself
manifest. "What can I do, Leonora?" I
moaned. " Do ? just reach out your hand
and draw me over. Here, take my hand,"
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
33
eetly said in an encouraging tone, yet
shadow of fearful earnestness in her
She held out her hand to me ; it was
ban mortal man could stand, I jumped
i seized her hand. I felt its warmth ;
ily there was a crash, and a fall. The
Lzed up with a bright light, and there I
iorge's picture devoured by the flames,
s over ; I sank back into a chair, and
D realize what had happened. 1 knew
re until morning, when George came
y room to see why I had not made my
ance. A look of dismay and anger over-
his features as he regarded the wreck
had made. In vain I tried to explain
, but he would not listen.* " To think,
that you should have so abused my
;hip as to throw into the fire and destroy
celess picture, just because you coveted
envied me the possession of it." So he
have it, and the outcome of it was that
ed up and went home that very day.
t was the end of our friendship, and,
, we are more estranged than if we had
net. A feeling of remorse often comes
le, when I think over the good times
jd to have together ; and yet, in my
and more thoughtful moods, I become
3us of a sweet presence that implores
ling from me that I yearn to answer,
nds are bound, however, and I know
this world, at least, Leonora and 1 can
meet. Albitan.
LISKS; FROM AN ENGINEERING
STAND-POINT.
Paper II. — Transportation.
e attempt to decipher the hieroglyphics
^ptian monuments we pbserve this
ar fact : The authors of these records
of kings warlike and pious ; of the
Qg of temples ; of wars and funeral
onies ; of science and the arts ; but we
earch in vain to find any record of the
ds used to transport the immense
5 of rock from spot to spot. Our only
itic clue to a partial solution of the
Ity is a painting discovered in a tomb
i^l Bersheh. To this painting — " Colos-
[1 a Sledge," — much interest attaches
:ount of its importance,
lay state, then, that our positive knowl-
is as follows : " The shaft, placed upon
Ige, was drawn only so far as the inun-
dation level, where it was left until the rising
of the Nile should allow it to be drawn on
board the raft." Beyond this, all is con-
jecture ; very probable, it is true, but none
the less conjecture. And it is here that
Egyptologists have exercised all their ingenu-
The inscriptions carved upon the blocks
make frequent mention of galleys, rafts and
sledges. As I noted in a former paper the
Nile was the most convenient highway of
transportation. Hence rafts were, in the
great majority of cases, an absolute necessity.
This, however, involved the use of sledges in
transporting the block from the quarries to
the water ; so that, although sledges might be
used without rafts, the use of the latter always
involved the former. Having shown that the
sledges were the more important, I will dis-
cuss briefly their construction and the method
of operating with them.
The sledges upon which these crushing
masses rested, were drawn usually by men.
Occasionally oxen were brought into service,
but it was only in cases where the burden was
comparatively light. It may be asked how
could these blocks be moved by means of a
sledge 1 I answer, by sheer man-power. In
one instance, the account reads, " two thousand
men to draw the stones on sledges." Does it
not seem strange that the beasts of burden
should draw the chariots and carry provisions,
while convicts and slaves were dropping in
their tracks from over-work.
Thus these resistless Cars of Juggernaut
moved on; leaving a blood-red pathway on
the desert sand. In horror some one asks,
" Were there no mechanical appliances ?" As
to this point there is a difference of opinion.
Rawlinson seems positive that no levers or
rollers were used ; but Herodotus states par-
ticularly that there were levers. Add to this
the testimony of Brugsch to the effect that
rollers were used, and we have established an
opinion contrary to that of Rawlinson.
Among the various forms of sledges, I may
mention a wagon-like structure, described by
Gorringe :
** The Seringapatam obelisk was placed upon a low
frame of timber, which rested upon eight low wheels.
To this ropes were attached, drawn by about six hun-
dred men at a time. The distance from the quarry to
the site of the obelisk's erection was about two miles.
Timbers were laid along the road, to prevent the sink-
ing of the low wheels in the earth.'*
Turning our attention to rafts, we find that
large boats were not uncommon among the
Egyptians, According to Wilkinson, Diodorus
34
THE STEVElfS INDICATOR.
mentions a sacred boat of cedar, two hundred
and eighty cubits, or four hundred and twenty
feet in length. This instance is cited to show
that large boats were in use, although there is
no reason for believing that obelisks were
transported by water by any means other than
that of rafts. The Assyrian method of trans-
portation is worthy of attention, since it is au-
thentic, Layard ha»'ing discovered sculptured
slabs at Nineveh, representing the removal of
huge stone bulls. I quote : *'A huge block of
stone is seen placed on a low, flat bottomed
boat, which is towed on the river by cables
drawn by about three hundred men. Again,
the stone, now carved into a colossal bull, is
seen placed on a sledge drawn by men attached
to four cables. Rollers are laid beneath the
sledge, and its hinder part is lifted and eased
by the use of huge levers."
It seems hardly possible that, with all the
wealth of inscriptions, there should be no
records of engineering performances. We feel
impelled to the belief that at some future time
sculptures or paintings may be found in an as
yet unexplored ruin, which may solve this
enigma. And yet, when we consider thai, as
a rule, only the nation's history, arts and fam-
ily life are depicted on these works of stone,
and that the king, who ordered both the erec-
tion and the engraving, had scant interest in
the method of attaining the desired result, we
have every reason for believing that the private
records of an engineer or architect were never
put in eternal form upon these works of per-
ind engineering skill. Chec,
SONG OF FIREWATER.
Sbould you ask me M' hence Ihi) hcidache,
Whence Ihis vague, uncertain feeling,
I should nnawer with emoliun,
'T 19 because of Firewater ;
Of the Pow-wow, the Convenlion,
And the jamboree, the Banquet.
Tbtougb the land from manji quarters,
Many ancient halli of Wisdom.
Traveled day and night Ihc student! —
Traveled to ihe great Convenlion.
Came the grive and reverend Senior,
Followed him the stately Junior,
Then the unimportant Sophomore
And the miserable Freshman.
First they had n mighty meeting —
Chose new Chiefs to reign among them.
Talked of all the past and present
And made bets upon the future.
Thus ihey whiled away the hours
Of the Pow-wow — the Convenlion;
Passing ihence in long procession
To the /amboree, the Banquet.
Brouebt from all points of the compais,
Total strangers to each other.
Stood around the board If^elher,
laughed and joked amongst each other.
(Tones inaudible to mortals
Serve ihem for commanication).
1'hen the slDdcDls from all qaarlers
Took their seats about the table.
Here were viands in profusion;
Dainties in and out of season.
And when most of these had vanished.
Then the master of the pledges,
SlTflijjhtway from his seat uprising,
Gave ihe toasts in mighty numbers.
And the students from all quarters
Loyally responded to them
For the glory of this Collie.
And as still the toasts went flying
They became more happy o'er them:
Stood on chairs and on the table.
That they might be heard the belter;
Tumbled oS. but rose screntiy.
Thought to make another trial;
But fotgelful of their purpose
Lay down underneath the table —
Sing weird songs and asked connndrums.
Then Ihey rose with some assistance.
Sallied forth into Ihe darkness;
Made il vocal and quite lurid.
Till they reached iheir resting places.
Then the festive little Freshman
Put to bed the reverend Senior,
With his head beneath the covers
And his feet upon the pillow.
'then unto his own conch went he,
Gently put his cane within it;
Stood himielf up in the comer
And his spirit fled to dreamland.
ELEMENTARY BLOW-PIPE ANALYSIS.
By an accidental otuission, a portion o£ tbt
last article referring to the treatment of ific
zinc incrustation with cobalt nitrate solution
was not printed and will therefore be con-
sidered before proceeding to the next grouji.
The zinc incrustation is first produced
either by an' oxidizing or by an alternately ox-
idizing and reducing flame, then the incrusU-
tion is moistened with a dilute solution of co-
balt nitrate, care being taken net to moislen
the test substance ; then cover this moistened
layer of incrustation with another layer pio-
duced in the usual manner. After cooling,
the coating will be of a yellowish green color.
Far better results will thus be obtained than
by heating the coating direct after moisienjog
with the cobalt nitrate. Tin oxide is tieaTsd
in precisely the same way, the only difference
being in the resulting color which is a bluisii
green as has been stated in the last paper.
By means of group V, we are able to deiecl
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
35
iy metals having intensely colored oxides^
\ oxides have the property of impart-
laracteristic color to a bead of borax
phorous salt. A chemical combina-
:ween the reagent and the test sub-
loes not occur when the latter is an
ined oxide, which is almost always the
The colored borax bead will, therefore,
considered as a very pure slag, hold-
metallic oxides in solution. In oxi-
►r reducing, the different colors of the
2 due to the different degrees of oxi-
9f the test substance; the oxidizing
•oducing the higher oxide.
test piece is in the state of a sulphide,
; antimonide, etc., it must first be con-
nto an oxide by roasting,
Iphide being the most common, is
by converting the substance into a fine
placing it in a shallow cavity, made in
rcoal and treating with an oxidizing
itil a smell of sulphurous acid is no
perceived; turn the substance over to
T side and treat in the same way, then
it from the charcoal, powder it and re-
; process. When sulphurous acid is no
produced, the substance has been con-
ito an oxide. Arsenides, etc., are roast-
I same manner. The additional appara-
led for this group are several platinum
out .01 of an inch in diameter and 2-2.5
The reagents are Borax, Naj B4 O7 -|-
3 and Phosphorus salt Am Na Ha P
H2 O, the latter being merely second-
ves to distinguish substances which
ntical reactions with the borax. The
n wire is provided with a loop at one
ich is held into the oxidizing flame
in dipped into the borax, the latter
d so as to drive off the water ; some
►rax is attached and heated again until
)f sufficient size has been obtained. If
ty of the borax is suspected, allow the
cool before adding the test substance ;
d be perfectly transparent. A phos-
>alt bead is made in the same way.
laking a test, dip the heated bead into
small portion of the powdered sub-
nd reheat in a strong oxidizing flame,
ing a color will appear, which depends
est substance. The color is, in general,
vhile hot and becomes lighter on cool>
it may even disappear entirely when
t of the test substance has been used,
contrary, if too much has been used, it
tiain opaque after cooling and should
reheated and squeezed flat with a pair
of forceps or a knife-blade, if this does not
show the color, part should be knocked off
and the remainder diluted with more borax.
When the reducing flame is applied to the
bead a characteristic color is often obtained,
which differs from that obtained by the oxidiz-
ing flame. Care should be taken never to treat
substances containing nickel or copper in the
reducing flame while on the platinum wire, as
these metals reduce and form fusible alloys
with the wire ; borax beads containing them
may be placed on charcoal and thus reduced.
The common metals which can be detected
by means of the borax bead are copper, iron,
chromium, nickel, cobalt and manganese. Be-
sides these, there are a number of rarer ele-
ments which give reactions with the beads,
but the latter will not be considered in this
place.
The oxidizing flame is understood when no
other is mentioned.
Copper oxide produces a green color while
hot, which changes to a greenish blue on cool-
ing ; in the reducing flame the oxide is reduced
to the metal. In the phosphorus salt, copper
oxide produces a greenish blue color, but when
reduced on charcoal in contact with a small
piece of metallic tin a reddish-brown color is
produced, the bead becoming opaque. Very
minute quantities of copper may be detected
in this way.
Iron oxide, treated with a good oxidizing
flame in the borax bead, imparts a yellow color
to it, which may only be seen when hot, if
very little iron is present. In the reducing
flame the color becomes a bottle-green.
In the phosphorus salt the color is yellow,
and in the reducing flame becomes brownish-
black, like smoked glass or the mineral smoky-
quartz.
Chromic oxide produces a yellowish-green
color with the oxidizing flame, and an emerald-
green when reduced. As this substance does
not dissolve very readily it requires long con-
tinued blowing. In the phosphorus salt it
produces a beautiful emerald green with both
flames.
If chromic oxide is mixed with some soda
and saltpetre and heated on platinum foil a
yellow chromate is produced.
Nickel oxide produces a brownish -violet
color when hot, which changes to brown on
cooling ; in the reducing flame the oxide is re-
duced to the metal, and should, therefore, never
be treated on the platinum wire with this flame.
In the phosphorus salt the substance produces
a dark-red color while hot, which changes to a
36
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
gold-yellow on cooling ; in the reducing flame
the color is neither changed nor the metal re-
duced.
Cobalt oxide produces with borax and phos-
phorus salt, in both flames, an intensely blue
color, almost exactly like that which appears
when copper sulphate is made alcaline with
ammonium.
Manganic oxide produces, with borax, a red-
dish-violet color, which disappears entirely in
the reducing flame, leaving the bead colorless,
an effect which, however, can only be accom-
plished with a very good flame. In the phos-
phorus salt it produces very little color, but
when the hot bead is dipped into powdered
saltpetre, a foamy mass having an intensely
violet color is produced, due to the formation
of potassium permanganate. This is a very
delicate test for manganese. If manganic
oxide be treated, like the chromic oxide, with
soda and saltpetre on platinum foil, a dark
green color is produced.
The main use of the phosphorus salt bead is
in the detection of silica, which is not dis-
solved by this salt, but remains in the bead
in the form of small white opaque pieces,
the whole of which are called the silica skele-
ton. Pure silica or quartz, as a moderately
flne powder, will show this reaction best.
When a very large bulk of any earth, as
alumina, baryta, strontia, or lime is dissolved
in the borax bead, the latter assumes a milky
color. This peculiarity, however, should sel-
dom be used as a test, as better methods have
been considered. O. Pf.
(To be continued,')
THE YOUTH OF ISAAC NEWTON.
Isaac Newton was bom on the 25th of De-
cember, 1642. His father had died at the age
of thirty-six, several months after his marriage
with Harriet Ayscough. Isaac began his
eventful life in the village of Woolsthorpe, in
the parish of Colsterworth, Lincolnshire, four
miles south of the city of Grantham. It is an
historical fact that he was so small, as his
mother used to say, he could be completely
hid in a quart pitcher ; and he was naturally
so feeble that he was not expected to live a
day. But fortunately for posterity, providence
had decreed otherwise ; and the powerless
child developed into a man who lived in al-
most constant good health more than eighty-
four years, thus surpassing the average dura-
tion of human life.
He was about ten years old when he entered
the public school at Grantham ; still, as he
himself acknowledged in after days, Master
Newton was neither diligent nor attentive in
school, and for more than a year constituted
with several of his peers the bottom of his
class. .One day, however, a lad who was
looked upon as the best student of the school
struck him such a blow on the breast that the
poor boy felt it yet some time afterward.
Newton thereupon sought revenge. Since his
opponent was by far his superior in bodily
power, our fellow determined to beat him
mentally. Aided by his natural ability, he
began to work so diligently that henceforth we
And him at the head of his school. This inci-
dent, unimportant as it may seem, served to
inspire the boy, who, so far, had been almost
passive, with inclination to action and occu-
pation, and to develop the chief traits of his
character.
Toward the end of his three years* stay at
that public school, he spent his leisure hours
principally in practical mechanics, in which he
soon became very dexterous. He constructed
a wind- mill, a water-clock, and also a wagon
that was put and kept in motion by the pas-
senger himself. Seldom do we find him tak-
ing part in the boisterous games of his young
schoolmates, but, instead^ he was also ready to
assist them by making several very ingenious
toys, kites,^and the like.
He was also continually occupied in draw-
ing, and the walls of his room were fairly
covered with sketches and pictures made by
himself.
Even the muse of poetry he affected ; and,
when a man, he loved to look back and recount
to his friends that when as yet at Grantham
he wrote some pretty verses.
In the year 1656, when fourteen years old,
his mother took him home, to help her in the
affairs of her farm. But young Newton was
positively averse to such things, and preferred
the reading of some old book or other, bor-
rowed from a neighbor, the elaboration of a
model, the construction of a new wind-mill,
and similar occupations, to the drowsy task of •
tilling the ground. Thus he was often seen
walking among the fields with arms folded
and mind wandering, while the flock entrusted
to his care, being left to itself, had a splendid
time destroying fields and meadows and going
wherever it pleased. On such an occasion he
was found by his uncle, William Aynscough,a
minister, sitting behind a hedge, with a treatise
on geometry in his hands. This moment de-
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
37
cided his whole future ! His uncle persuaded
Mrs. Newton to send the boy to Trinity Col-
lege, Cambridge, convincing her that he was
good only for studying.
Newton entered that school on the 5 th
of June, 1660, at the age of eighteen. The
young man, who was destined to remold all
science, then touched the first steps to her
temple, in order to be at last admitted to her
awful presence. Without the advice of
learned friends, without even knowing which
were the best books, he possessed less than the
average knowledge when he entered the uni-
versity. He had spent his time in playing
with machines, and had followed only his love
for practical experiment ; but it was, perhaps,
better that he brought with him none of the
prejudice and premature opinions which,
though generally false, still, when deeply
engraved on the youthful mind, are so difficult
to erase in order to make room for sound and
correct views.
In this institution Newton's mind was
developed more perfectly ; there already he
displayed his talent in discovering those three
grand truths, which have immortalized his
name, viz., about lighty the infinitesimal^ and
gravitation. From the very beginning of his
studies he devoted all his attention to mathe-
matics. Euclid was merely read like a novel,
and regarded as too easy ! He looked upon
the theorems as so many axioms, which are
comprehended the moment they are heard.
Without further preparation he turned imme-
diately to Descartes' profound work on
geometry ; soon after he took up Saunderson' s
Logic y and then Kepler's writings on optics
and astronomy. While reading these by no
means simple works, he used to make extracts
of them, and so fast was his progress in these
sciences that his tutor soon declared he could
not teach him any more, and that this young
man was better fitted to give than to receive
advice !
In the next year, 1661, he became subsizes
(i. e., a student who waited on the scholars or
free students), but not until 1664 a true scholar.
In 1665 the degree of Bachelor of Arts was
conferred upon him ; two years later he be-
came younger professor, the next year elder
professor ; and at last, in 1669, when twenty-
seven years old, he was appointed professor of
mathematics in the place of the renowned
Barrows, who had resigned in favor of New-
ton. Till 1695, for twenty-six years, he kept
that position, after which he was made warden
of the mint in London. Four years later he
obtained the presidency of the royal mint,
with a yearly income of ^15,000, and kept
this position till he was carried away by
death, on the 20th of March, 1727.
» ♦ » *
THE RADIOMETER AS A PHOTOMETER.
Though the radiometer, or light-mill, as it
is sometimes called, seems to be an instrument
of but little practical use, owing to its deli-
cacy, and the difficulty of counting the num-
ber of revolutions it makes in a given period
of time, it has been advantageously used in
photography. Its use depends upon the as-
sumption that the same amount of light al-
ways makes it turn the same number of revo-
lutions. Supposing this to be true, we thus
have a means for determining the length of
time necessary to expose the sensitive plate in
order to get the same effect in any kind of
weather.
Having placed the radiometer before the
camera, surrounded by screens in such a way
that the mill receives only those rays which
would act upon the plate, we count the num-
ber of revolutions (which in this case will be
small) which the mill makes during the time
of exposure, exactly long enough to get the re-
quired result. Knowing this, we let the light
act so many seconds as is necessary to give
the radiometer the same number of revolu-
tions. The weather being less clear, the vel-
ocity of rotation will be less. In this way the
number of revolutions remains an exact
standard for the quantity of light, entering the
camera in more or less seconds.
V. d. W.
« # »»
Hereafter the New York TimeSy the New
York Herald^ and the Stevens Indicator
will be printed on a new kind of profile paper,
3ust out. Only 60c. a dozen sheets. Very
cheap, indeed. So cheap that when you want
a single sheet all you have to do is to buy a
dozen. It only costs fifty-five cents more.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
jPhe Stevei^s Indisafesp.
IGth Of EACH IIDHTH, DURIN6 THE COLLEQE rEAR,
INDICATOR PUBLISHING COMPANY,
^teVBD^ lD0titDte of Tec|noIagj.
TERMS :-tI.U par YMr, In *<nnc>. Slngla Con. 20 Cnrit.
Extra tefiit lan hi ablaitud at Luthin's heoi llffrti
Hohohtn, N.J.
Subtttibtn will pUast immedialefy notify us of any
ckaHgt in thtir addratis or failurt to nciivi tht faftt
regulaiiy.
Tit wrifit'i full name, as will ai his NOU DB FLUME,
Exchanges, conlrihuliens, suiscrifliai
and all other eommunieatiens ty mail, ihoulJ be addressed
to The Stevens Indicator, Stevens Institute, Hoboken.
N.J.
Letters for fuiHeation should be vmlltn legibly in ink,
upon me tide of the paper ; unless loo long, ikty viill be
inserted as written.
The editors do not hold themselves responsible fvr opin-
ions expressed in literary articles or communications.
TT7HE old Board of Editors has just bowed
A itself off the stage, and the thundering
applause has scarcely ceased, when the new
Board steps forward to claim attention. Bu*
what are we to say to the mighty audience j
We might utter a eulogy upon the retiring
board. Let that rest. They exalted them-
selves before the pen passed from their hands.
We might launch out into an extravagant
statement of what will be accomplished in the
next four issues of the Indicator ; but what
are vain boastings ? And yet, it is desirable
that those assuming a public trust should
adopt some creed, some principle of action, in
order that all may know what to expect, and
arrange their plans accordingly.
The board expects every man to do his
duty; and the board intends to see that each
man shall do his duty. We find the Indi-
cator in a prosperous condition. Our every
effort shall be to sustain and add to this pros-
perity.
IT is not at all surprising that in an assemblage
of young men representing all types of
manhood — or humanity, rather — there should
be found some whose actions call forth merited
criticism. In view of this fact, therefore, there
was nothing unexpected in the appearance, in
leading dailies, on consecutive mornings, of two
articles upon certain debated questions which
are now agitating the college mind. We sz;
such things are not surprising ; and yet there
is nothing more unnatural than the case of a
child forsaking its foster-parent and eodeavoi-
ing to spread reports derogatory to her char-
acter. Thus it is with the student who takes
the little motes of dissention floating about in
the college atmosphere and places them under
a microscope, with a newspaper reporter at
the eye-piece, ready to put down what he sees
through the glass, and more besides, Ho»
much worse, then, is it when the mote assumes
more significant dimensions. The magnifying
power is the same ; what then shall we say of
the second object when magnified ?
It is hard.for us to find words with which to
accurately express our contempt for the mean
and unnatural spirit which has prompted sooic
of our college mates to pour their little griev-
ances into the reportorial ear. It does not re-
quire much thought to see where such a policy
will land the college, unless right sentimenlis
upheld by the college at large. We will wager
that the guilty ones in this case arethever)'
students who would shrink from circulating
such defamatory reports were they by such
deeds rendered liable to ostracism.
TVTe are pleased to notice the increasedin-
* ■ terest manifested in our Tominunica-
tion column. To be sure, the letters are
mostly all growls, toned down to suit the con-
servative taste of the editors ; still, we loot
upon this as a sign of better things to come.
Already discussions are beginning to creep in,
and it cannot now be long before the students
will become accustomed to look for these dis-
cussions and to take part. Prof. Wall's reel-
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
39
show that there are good debaters to be
n the Sophomore class, and probably
e could be proved of the other classes,
at surprise is that '89, after six months
5e life, has found nothing to criticize,
jestions to offer. They have shown
merest in the college paper ; let them
the work of producing a periodical
mg to the students.
« ^ » »
bout time that the bulletin board had
ther cleaning out. Once more, board-
se advertisements have accumulated,
se, with several worn-out notices, com-
fill the space required for more im-
matters. As a result, one may see
id jagged strips of paper fastened on
ide, either with pins or match ends,
I the cracks. It is a pity that such a
affairs should exist, and there is no
or it, as the pressure has been relieved
withdrawal of the Indicator and the
Association from the struggle. Now
book-list is to be transferred (in more
ible form) to the I. P. Co.*s bulletin
here is stilt less grounds for the over-
1 state of the college bulletin board.
« # » »
Indicator is at last becoming a ne-
ssity in our little college world. Its
usefulness is gradually widening, and
1 to see in the future journal our aims
It is with pleasure, therefore, that
attention to Mr. Pfordte's letter, and
gestion therein contained. The sub-
> received our careful consideration,
are now prepared to state our willing-
ittempt such a scheme. Of course, if
)ort of the students is not forthcoming,
abandon the project. At any rate,
ial shall be given the system,
some deliberation it has been decided
a book list upon the bulletin board,
to publish, each month, in the columns
paper, such a list, corrected to date.
e understood that the buyer and seller
are never brought into contact ; the seller re-
ceives his money, and the buyer his books
without either knowing the other's name. We
have said " books ;" it is not intended to limit
the articles exchanged. We will announce, as
early as possible, the name of the editor ap-
pointed to assist the students in this project.
< # »»
WE have ventured out of the trodden
path of college journalism, and publish
in this issue two pages of music and songs.
A few words of explanation as to our purpose
may not be amiss.
In placing in the hands of the students
these songs, the compilers lay but slight claim to
authorship of entire pieces, their great aim be-
ing to adapt words to familiar tunes, and to
obtain original music for songs which have
not as yet appeared in music form. As an
example of adaptation take the familiar tune,
" Eli Yale." It is absurd to go on singing as
we have done :
'* As Sophomores we have our task.
' Tis best performed with torch and mask."
We do not study the classics ; hence are
free from the duties of the funeral pyre. Let
us take as another illustration " Balada Amo-
roso." These beautiful words appear in a
book published over thirty years ago. There
was no music and the editors obtained
original music, hoping that the whole might
become a college song.
Recollect, we do not presume to publish
these songs as " Stevens Songs." We merely
place before the students songs which may or
may not become popular. We do not guaran-
tee to publish songs every month, but when-
ever we insert them we will take pains to fill
up an even number of pages, so that they
may be cut out and pasted in the book of
" Students' Songs."
Students having books, instruments or tools
to dispose of will do well to advertise them in
the " Students* Wants " column. Insertion,
giving brief particulars, free. Positively no
boarding house notices admitted.
40
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
r^9rGF^6R GARS.
During the recent wintry weather the little
radiator in the mathematics room has been
put to a very severe test. At the close of
each hour the windows are opened in order to
give the incoming class a chance at whatever
fresh air may be wandering like a stranger
about the Institute. When the thermometer
is at 8^ this condition of affairs does not last
long, and the windows are closed. Now the
question comes : How long is it going to take
that little radiator to change fresh air at 8^
into fresh air at 65° ? Well, just about forty
minutes. To be sure, anything that may be
done now in regard to this matter will be of
no use this spring, yet it is best that the evil
be remedied while we are suffering from its
effects.
In this card we wish to mention another
matter closely related to the one which has
gone before. Some of the rooms are " redolent
with humanity " to such a degree as to be
either stupefying or nauseating. It matters
not whether the air be cold or warm, the odor
is the same. Take a room where little atten-
tion is paid to ventilation. At 9 a.m. the
Freshmen gather and recite until 10, when
the Juniors take their places. At eleven,
when the Sophs arrive the room smells like a
basement beer saloon. How much work can
be done in such an atmosphere ! We prefer
to shiver rather than to be stifled, and if we
can*t have more steam give us cold fresh air
rather than warm foul air !
To the Editors of the Indicator :
Another word in regard to the sketching of
machines. Recently I was assigned to a ma-
chine in Prof, Wood's room. Upon attempt-
ing to take this machine apart, I had recourse
to a screwdriver. Naturally, the place where
such an article was to be found would be the
tool room ; so I went thither. The attendant
informed me that " there used to be three or
four drivers, but now there's only one, and
th.it's lyin' around somewhere." Failing to
find this remnant of the glorious past, I
applied to Mr. Lackland. He admitted that
there was a screwdriver, but that, if found, it
would probably be required in the shop.
After wasting the entire drawing period,
and after asking various other dignitaries as
to the whereabouts of anything bearing any
resemblance to a screwdriver, I gave up in
disgust. There was evidently nothing else to
do but to write to the Indicator. Mean-
while, I am using my chum's jack knife ; and
if a certain machine shows marks of hard
usage, don't blame me, but the missing screw-
driver. Sophomore.
♦-•-
To the Editors of the Indicator :
"Tempus fugit." The baseball season is
rapidly approaching and on all sides we can
hear the prediction that our baseball season
this year will be as much of a failure as it was
last year. But why should it be ? We have
the material for a good team, and we have
also a captain who will not go home at the be-
ginning of the season and let the team take
care of itself. If we fail to make a good
record this year it will be the fault of the
management. Still there are but two faults
every year ; the first one is, not arranging
enough games to be played on our awn grounds,
the second and principal reason is, that at the
beginning of every season we start out by
playing against strong clubs, and of course
lose our first games. This demoralizes the
team for the rest of the season. Now, the only
way in which we can expect to make a success
this season, is by playing our first games with
clubs like the Adelphi's and Polytechnics, and,
by winning such games, give the members oi
the team confidence in themselves so that
later on in the season when compelled to meet
strong teams, there will be some prospect oi
winning. Common Sense.
To the Editors of the Indicator :
On reading the Exchange from the Tr^^S
Polytechnic in the last number the idea struck
me as being an excellent one and one which
would provide great conveniences for those
students who wish to dispose of the old text-
books for which they have no further use.
Your remark at the end of that Exchange
convinced me that although you are a grind-
ing monopoly you are still grinding for the in-
terest of the students. The suggestion is a
timely one as is sufficiently shown by the fre-
quent notices regarding the purchase of books,
at the bulletin board. How some of our worthy
Professors will feel if such a scheme should be
established in a proper working order I could
not exactly tell though if I step on their toes
I hope they will pardon it.
Every student, I think, who has acquired a
library of college books, feels the burden they
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
to him besides representing so much
pitai when no longer used and many
)e glad to dispose of them at a teason-
ce while other students would be ac-
dated, if they were able to obtain the
at rates lower than those charged at
k store. Some of the books are used
;w weeks and very few of them more
le term, and after that they are " the
ool book in its dusty nook " never to
ed at except perhaps in a sentimental
t on remembering the old college days
ago.
only real objection that exists, namely
ural aversion which every one feels to
g into any business transactions with
ho are his friends and companions, can
le overcome by making all transactions
1 a disinterested third party, as the In-
R, so that the buyer and seller need
ome in contact with each other or even
heir names.
ot think, as some have done, that you
ng to use every one of your college
vhen you enter business for you will
The class of books you may need then
:cial works according to the business
;er, and in which you are to improve
f ; the general college books will give
nparatively little practical information
se matters of which the most, in fact,
■e learned in the regular business rou-
I would not be understood to mean that
books will be useless after leaving col-
Some of them, as Rankine, Deschanel,
re excellent books for reference and
be kept but this each student does best
!;e for himself.
w figures will show what can be gained
h a course. Take the average number
, in a class during the four years at forty,
ooks during four years cost about $50.
emical apparatus about $10.— and the
lols say Jiz.— Total $72. Suppose that
:nt would sell only one half of these
at 75 per cent, of the original cost then
75 •=■ J27.00 which would return to him
le whole class would be $i27.x4o^
00 ahead for which if they are careful
e il, they may have a fine time at com-
ment and an excellent class dinner. A
esult like this can scarcely be hoped
li the main idea is practical andadvan-
s to the students and should be acted
by them,
O. Pf
" Gentlemen, I have the floor !" All right,
keep it, but we've got a first mortgage on it.
" Isn't it the season for college pin de-
signs ?" Yes ; send us some, but let them be
■' in colors."
Mr. Denton's lectures to the Senior class are
exceedingly practical. Cannot more time be
given to them ?
The following is the motto given to the
Freshmen by one of the professors : " Never
put off until to-morrow what you can do next
It 3pp)ears, from a new catalogue of books,
that J. Donaldson has written a book on the
History of Education. Wonder if it is
O. W. J.
Professor. — " In what form do these min-
erals crystallize. Miss X. ?"
Miss X. — " Rhododendrous ! " — Vassar
Miscellany.
One of Hoboken's children (this is poeti-
cal, and refers to a full-grown man) wants to
know " how the light is pushed through the
electric wires."
A famous tenor has injured his voice by
having a toothpick lodge in his throat. He
probably swallowed the toothpick to give his
voice more timbre. — Exchange.
The man that fooled with the radiator in
the drawing-room got scared so badfy when
the thing blew up that he hasn't been able to
leave his crutches yet.
Catalogue says " Senior year, second term,
Marine Engineering." Senior class says
" Senior year, second term, fire-works {in
colors) and pin wheels.
The gymnasium didn't gym — the rink has
been turned into a pugilistic arena, where you
pay fifty cents for entrance and see an old but-
ton's worth of "manly art."
A few days since Mr. Bristol was treated to
a grand mixure of calculus and terrific explo-
sions. The detonations took place at regular
intervals behind the radiator, and the effect
was charming (to the class).
42
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
■87 had heaps o£ fun the other day. putting
sulphuretted hydrogen in '88*s class room
while they were in to recitation. '87 hasn't had
ao much fun since their papas took them up
to see the Japanese village.
" Chem. lab imp " found considerable difR-
culty, the other day, in obeying an order to
hang a piece o( apparatus up on the floor, He
used up nearly his whole intellect on the sub-
ject, and then gave it up in disj^st.
The Freshmen have instituted the practice
of beginning shop work at one o'clock and
stopping at four. The idea is a good one, as
it gives out of town students an opporltinity of
getting home in some sort of season.
Prof. Leeds aggravates the Sophs by making
liquid compounds in large beakers that look
like beer, and have a foam precisely simitar.
He had'nt better leave any of that lying
around after lecture. O. W. J. has a key to
that room.
Prof. (10 Sophomore Class) : " Now, these
things are very simple ; very simple indeed.
Any boy of ten could understand them easily,
say nothing of a man of "88" (Three stu-
dents drop dead and the plaster tumbles off
the ceiling.)
It is too bad, isn't it, that the Seniors can't
be sober long enough to work in the Physical
Lab. They go around asking each other for
the temperature of the room in centimetres, and
all such things as that. Brace up, '86, and
be more intellectual.
It is rumored that the new chemical impt
seen in lectures and recitations for a month or
so past, is a rare species of peculiar organism,
and it is thought that Prof. L. is fatting him
up as an experimental subject when he comes
to organic substances.
Last week when one " Prep." told another
" Prep." that the main spring of a watch was
like '' the flowers that bloom in the spring,"bc-
cause it had " nothing to do with the case," a
brick block fell on both of them, and the re-
mains have'nt been recovered yet.
The class pin adopted by '89 is a model of
good taste and neatness. It was designed by
U. H. Hiller, of that class, and consists of a
pair of cahpers, monkey wrench and hammer
crossed, these being interwoven by a piece of
metal bearing the letters S. L T., "89.
A man in '88, known among the sporting
fraternity as " Slrayed-off," has made him-
self so proficient in the intricacies 01 Ihebaik
line game of billiards, that he has sent an un-
conditional challenge to O. W. J. for a ten-
point game, to be finished in three evenings.
One of the newly deduced facts in thermo-
dynamics is, that the work a Dutchman does
is proportional to the beer and sausage con-
sumed. The Dutchman is also a perfect!/
reversible engine, jw his work consists in
making the very beer and sausages which he
consumes.
One of the " Sophs " has revealed som*
new facts in English history. He tells us some
very startling things about Frances Bacon's
father and Queen Elizabeth. We don't like
to paralyze the public by saying them right
out loud. Ask one of the Sophs to whisper
them to you.
The S. S. S. has had a successful inaugural,
and will prove even more enjoyable this year
than formerly, there seeming to be more effi-
ciency at the head of affairs. W!iy not re-
christen these assemblies and let the name
convey rather the idea of a specific for the
heart and not "the blood."
" Gentlemen, these border lines must be one-
millionth of an inch thick and sixteen ten-
thousandths of a gramme of ink must be used
to the inch. Also, in lettering, use Gillott's
303 pen, as 304 sometimes makes one thirty
thousandth of an inch difference when the
ink hasn't a specific gravity of 1.0031463,"
We understand that Mr, Bidwell, the pho-
tographer, has recently purchased a mansion
on Fifth Avenue with the money made from
selling class pictures about the Institute.
Why, men are standing in line every day to
buy them. It's something wonderful the way
those pictures sell. It is wonderful, isn't it ?
A senior has been going about with his
pockets full of "green cheese," and some that
hzsgrinfn urav. Its presence was very audi-
ble, and the freshmen are speculating as to
the probability of this young scientist hav-
ing lest pieces of the moon for analysis pre-
paratory to a thesis on the "Why-for's of
Lunar."
The other day, one of the professors ex-
cused himself for not appearing until a while
after the class had assembled, by saying that
he didn't know that the class was on hand he-
cause they were so quiet. (Hereafter, gentle-
men, make it a point to enter right into a first-
class riot, if the Professor is n't present, in com-
ing into recitations.)
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
43
A new branch of instruction has been intro-
duced into one of the departments. It is
known as the " Grand Monkey Course."
The preliminary exercises consist in blowing
corks up into the oak supports and letting
students climb up after them. This promises
to be a very interesting departure and sub-
secjuent advancements will be reported as* they
take place.
Prof, (to student in Description): " Why did
you assume a point on an element ? "
Student^" I just sorter placed it there ac-
cidentally."
Prof. — " A point is like a fly speck. When
the fly lit there he did it on purpose, and
there wasn't anything accid,ental about it."
(Student has to imitate a fly and do the work
all over again.)
Prof.: "Now, gentlemen, you see when I
excite this rod, it has an attraction for light,
fuzzy substances, even at a considerable dis-
tance " (excites the rod and holds it within a
few feet of an infinitesimal moustache belong-
ing to one of the class). " See ! See ! Look
at that moustache stand out ; it attracts even
that." (Gilt edged snicker by the class.
Blue lights and tomato cans.)
Student: "Shall we make the diameters of
the circles around the points -^ oz -^ oi an
inch?"
Professor : " Make them ^^ of an inch in
diameter."
Later — professor returning to the subject of
diameters : " 1 should like to have the circles
made i^ of an inch in diameter, because that
ii much smaller than ^V of an inch.
When '8g purloined the furniture from '88's
class room, they eviden'ly didn't think of the
consequences. The faculty took this per-
fonnance as an excuse for a " grand bounce "
in the Freshman class, and while the faculty
*ete "bouncing " Freshmen, the Sophs.
Mlfced around and got their property back
again ; so '89 was not near so well off as it
Would have been if it had allowed 'SS's prop-
ftty to enjoy a sweet repose.
Where, oh where have gone our trusty ser-
vants, the James Rumsey and the Weehaw-
len? We miss their fair and graceful outlines
plying to and fro. It cannot be that they
lave sunk, and we know full well that the
company would never discontinue to use
them until such an event took place. Where,
then, have they gone ? Some one whispers
"Up the Hudson, 'bucking ' ice." Ves, per-
haps so. Or, perchance, the United States
navy has secured them for gun boats. More
probable, perhaps, than the other idea.
It seems that the Freshmen have gotten up
a class pin, totally disregarding the fact that
after much controversy and hard work, a
college pin was, last year, adopted. This ac-
tion is certainly not a very loyal one on the
part of '89. The college pin was adapted for
all the classes then existing and for all sub-
sequent classes. The pin is certainly as pretty
a one as we could wish to wear and it seems
no more than right that each succeeding class
should willingly adopt it. If only a few do so,
the college pin and the object of its existence
is lost.
People that live anywhere within ten miles
of New York are habitually in a hurry. Ho-
boken is included in these limits ; hence its
inhabitants are possessed of the general char-
acteristic. The principle of action is, accord-
ingly, that of taking the shortest road to the
desired destination. Now the word here is
practically synonymou.s with the vtorA present,
but the former has but one syllable, while the
latter has two ; consequently, the natural
tendency would be for Hobokenites to use
here instead of present. Therefore it is un-
reasonable to ask them to violate a natural
bias, and a refusal to comply with such a re-
quest should not be at all surprising, Silah !
During one of the warm days, before the
snow had entirely disappeared, one of the
Preps., having wandered from his nurse, be-
gan to disport himself by heaving snow balls
around promiscuously; but he got a little bit
too promiscuous after a while, and caught the
Mayor in the ear with a full grown one. The
Mayor gave the mystic call and brought out
the fire department and the whole police force.
■ It is needless to say that the Prep, was
arrested, and he was subsequently fined five
dollars. Now is your chance, boys. Shots at
Mayor Timken, five dollars each ; old fash-
ioned " .soakers," eight dollars and a half. No
extra charge for wear and tear on the Mayor.
If there ever was a lop-sided combination
of guttural expressions it is the German.
This is the way one of the typical phrases
translates: "The pulley is a, about its,
through the, either still standing, or up and
down, by the workman, pull-able, middle-
point going axis movable, circular, disk."
Now that is evidently meant to Icl! some-
44
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
thing about a pulley, but just what no one but
a German can come anywhere near tellmg,
and it's doubtful whether he can on all occa-
sions. When a German wants to say that the
father bought a hat, he says, the hat bought
the father, which is equivalent in English to
saying that the father got " sold," that is, he
got cheated in the hat.
*%^ is enjoying a very decided improvement
in the Literature course. Two or three of
Shakespeare's finest plays are being taken up
and discussed by the class, each man being
required to give his own personal views on
the general characteristics of the play and on
the character of the various persons repre-
sented as well. This tends to make each one
consider the subject thoughtfully and care-
fully, and is certainly much better and far
more instructive than being confined to the
opinions and criticisms of a single author.
The recitations show that every one is taking
a genuine interest ; and as the same plan is to
be adopted with the subsequent authors, the
interest will undoubtedlv continue, which will
not only make it much easier for the students
themselves, but for the professor as well.
The coils of the fire hose about the halls
do not add to the general effect of the Insti-
tute, but the change is much better than the
old way of boxing the hose in out-of-the-way
rooms, especially as the said hose is really in-
tended for use. Looking at some of the coils,
we notice that the hose has hardened in the
position it has been cramped in for the last ten
years, and in some cases would probably fail
if wanted for an emergency. The nozzles are
poor, but no matter ; so that the insurance
company is aware of the presence of hose it
is immaterial whether the building burns to
the ground or not. It is wonderful what ef-
fect the knowledge of there having been an
empty fire extinguisher in a ruined house has
on the prompt adjustment of insurance.
The other day while the Sophs, were busy
carrying their stolen furniture up the front
stairs from the Freshmen's room, and while
the Freshmen were taking it back via the back
stairs, O. W. J. minus his black dog, stood in
a dark corner watching. The desire to "see a
man " outside was overcome by a greater
— that of overawing freshmen. As soon as
he settled the question that the chairs were
going up the stairs, and that the stairs were
stationary, although they seemed lo have a
rotatory motion, he looked up, and, seeing a
string of freshmen, he proceeded to make
note of their names. Next morning there was
one name at the top of the list and the rest
marked ditto, ditto, etc. ; so that to this day
he can't affirm whether there was really a
string of No. i freshmen, or whether it was
an optical illusion.
The following small comedy of errors took
place in this classic town last week. A stu-
dent rented a furnished room from Mrs. A.
About the same time Mrs. A. had a new
range put in the kitchen. Some days later, on
visiting a neighbor, Mrs. B., whose cradle had
stood in England, the following conversation
took place.
Mrs. B. "Well! how do you like your
new 'eater ? " %
Mrs. A. (thinking this might be pure
English for boarder) " Oh ! he isn't a regular
boarder, he just has his room up stairs and
takes breakfast with us."
Mrs. B. (looking as if doubting Mrs. A.'s
sanity), " I don't know what you're talking
about, what do you mean ? "
Mrs. A. *'Well, I don't know what you
mean." The curtain rises and plot is re-
vealed. (Let us hope that Mrs. A. ^ill be
satisfied with both her 'eaters. — Eds.)
^BRlSe^AIiS.
'78.
On Wednesday evening, February 10, Mr.
E. P. Thompson, associate editor of The Rkc-
trical World, was married to Miss Edith L'het-
wood Coursen, daughter of Ex-Mayor Wm. A.
Coursen, of Elizabeh, N. J. The ceremony
took place at the bride's home, and an elaborate
banquet was served after the wedding recep-
tion, at which over 200 guests were present.
At a late hour the happy couple departed on
an extended bridal tour through the South
and West.
'82.
The Raihvav Age has secured the services
of Mr. Pierce Hutler, M. E., of Louisville, Ky.,
to visit the manufacturing establishments con-
nected with railway construction and equip-
ment, and to send it notes of all matters
of interest which may come under his obser-
vation. He will also represent this paper in a
business way. Mr. Butler is a graduate of
Stevens Institute of Technology, where he re-
ceived a four years' course of both practical
and theoretical engineering. Subsequently he
was connected with the mechanical depart-
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
45
:he Delaware, Lackawanna & Western
d then with the Brooks Locomotive
laving charge of their school for ap-
». Latterly he has been practising
ssion of mechanical engineer. — Rail-
•
[}iBBS is with the Chicago, Milwaukee
Lil Ry. Co., Department of Tests, West
ee. Wis.
'83.
TED is with the Chicago, Milwaukee
.ul Ry. Co., Car Dept., West Milwau-
•8s-
I Baldwin is with Westinghouse,
Kerr & Co., steam engine builders,
rk City.
HussEY is with the Midland Electric
aha. Neb.
IN NoRRis has a position with Bart'
^ward & Co., engineers and founders,
re, Md.
Renwick is with Renwick, Aspinwall
,^11, Architects, New York City.
N BuRHORN is draughtsman and assist-
erintendent of machinery, with Harri-
izier & Co., Sugar Refiners, Philadel-
;nn.
. BiRDSALL has on exhibition a time
: photographic exposures. The inven-
kes use of part of an old clock geared
ss exposer. The rate of speed is regu-
the governing fan of the clock attach-
« ^ » »
:I^SrF^BBRrF?G ^05FeS.
THE FORTH BRIDGE.
Forth Bridge, now being built by the
3ritish, Great Northern, North Eastern
dland Railway companies, is of the
^er or continuous girder system, and
nmenced in January, 1883. The total
of viaduct included in the contract
;^i, 600,000 is about 1 4 miles, and
^e 2 spans, of 1,700 feet each ; 2 spans,
feet each ; 15 spans, of 168 feet each ;
>, of 25 feet each. Including piers,
s thus one mile of main spans and
nile of viaduct approach. The clear
ty is 150 feet above high water, and
ps of the great cantilevers are more
than 200 feet higher still. There will be
about 45,000 tons of steel in the superstruc-
ture of the bridge, and 120,000 cubic yards of
masonry in the piers.
The South Queen's ferry main pier consists
of a group of four cylindrical piers of masonry
and concrete, founded by means of pneumatic
caissons on the strong boulder clay consti-
tuting the bed of the Forth at this point.
Owing to the slope of the clay the caissons
required to be sunk to depths varying from
about 70 feet to 90 feet below high water.
The diameter ranges from 70 feet at the
base to 60 feet at low water level, above
which the iron skin of the caisson is replaced
by a facing of Aberdeen granite. At the base
of the caissons is a working chamber of 7 feet
in height, supplied with compressed air and
electrically lighted, for the men excavating the
material. Owing to the extreme hardness of
the clay, it was necessary to provide a certain
number of spades having hydraulic rams in
the handles, which, abutting against the roof
of the working chamber, sliced the clay
readily. At Inchgarvie similar pneumatic
caissons are used for two out of four of the
cylindrical piers. Owing to the slope of the
rock bottom, it is necessary to cut away as
much as 18 feet in thickness of whinstone
rock to form a level bench for the pier at 70
feet below high water. The most convenient
way of doing this was to convert the base
of the pier practically into a great diving
bell 70 feet in diameter. Rock drills are pro-
vided, and blasting goes on in the compressed
air chamber without necessitating the with-
drawal of the men.
At North Queensbury the four main piers
were built either on dry land or within timber
and clay coffer-dams. Above low water the
whole of the main piers are built of Arboath
masonry in cement faced with Aberdeen
granite, and hooped occasionally with 18-inch
wrought-iron bands. The cantilever end
piers and the viaduct piers are built of rubble,
concrete and granite in cement.
It is considered that the chief desiderata in
the biggest railway bridge ever proposed to
be constructed would be best met by a steel
"cantilever** or "continuous-girder** bridge.
In the Forth bridge, each span of 17 10 feet
is made up of two cantilevers, projecting 680
feet, and a central girder connecting the same
350 feet in length. The cantilevers are 343
feet deep over the piers and 40 feet at the
ends. The bottom members consist of a pair
of tubes tapering in diameter from 1 2 feet to 5
46
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
feet, and spaced lao feet apart centre to cen-
tre at the piers and 31 feet 6 inches at the
ends. The lop members consist of box lattice
girders, tapering in depth from 13 feet to 5
feet, and spaced 33 feet apart at the piers and
33 feet 3 inches at the ends. Each tube has
s maximum gross sectional area of 830 square
inches, and each girder a maximum net sec-
tional area of 506 square inches. Upon each
cylindrical masonry pier is bolted a bed-plate
carrying a "skewback," from which spring
vertical and diagonal columns and stmts.
The former are 12 feel in diameter and from
368 to 46S square sectional area ; the latter arc
flattened tubes. Horizontal wind-bracing of
lattice girders connect the tubes forming the
bottom member of the cantilevers, and similar
vertical wind-bracing connects the vertical and
diagonal tubes, so that the whole structure is a
network of bracing, capable of resisting stresses
in any direction and of any attainable severity.
Under the combined stresses resulting from
the test road in the worst position and the
heaviest hurricane, the maximum stress on the
steel will not exceed 7 % tons per square inch
on any portion of the structure, and on mem-
berssiibject to great variation in the intensity
and character of the stress the maximum will
not exceed four tons per square inch. For
tubular columns and struts, 34 to 37 tons
steel, with an elongation of 17 per cent, in 8
inches, is specified, and for tension members
30 to 33 tons steel, wilh 30 per cent, of elonga-
tion.
In making the tubes, the plates arc heated
in a gas furnace, and bent hot between dies in
a powerful hydraulic press, A slight distor-
tion takes place in cooling, which is corrected
by pressing the plates again when cold. After
bending, all four edges are planed and the
plates built up into a tub?. Traveling annular
drill frames surrounding the tube, fitted each
with ten traversing drills, bore the holes at
once through plates, covers, and stiffeners, so
that when again fitted in place for erection
every piece comes into exact juxtaposition.
At the present time, although about 15,000
tons of steel work is on the ground, only the
approach viaduct ^rders and some of the bed-
plates of the mam spans are erected and
riveted up.
The new Croton Aqueduct, now under con-
struction from Croton to Harlem River, will
have a maximum of 320,000,000 gallons per
day, and will cost, when completed, about
§15,000,000,
The second term is, without doubt, ihchard-
est part of the year for Stevens men. With the
exception of a little skating on the meadi>Hs
and a walk now and then, there is absolutely
no means of giving the body that exercise
which is so essential for the successful com-
pletion of the term's work, and upon which so
much of our success in after life dependi.
Even the walking is rendered dangerous by
the accumulation of snow and ice on the side-
walks, making the tramp to Weehawken, even
to see the snow-clad lop of the " beer tower,"
anything but pleasant, while at the ver,'
thought of taking to the river walk, one feels
the wind whistle through his bones or sees his
hat scudding toward New York with a speed
that would make even the Rumsey blush.
How we envy those colleges that arc fortunate
enough to have some means of prepating
their rowing crews, their bas^all and lacrosse
teams for the season that is now drawing nigh ;
how they must pity us when they think of
catching a ball when the thermometer stands
at 10° or of stooping to the school-boy level of
throwing snowballs just for the sake of exer-
cise. Well, we live in hopes ; we are sure that
the Trustees and Alumni Association are at
work on a gymnasium that will, some day, sur-
prise us and be worthy of the college and her
students. In the meantime we will go on with
our athletic meetings, electing officers and
captains ^ usual.
At the regular meeting of the association
held last month, the following positions wers
filled:
President, Morrison, '86 ; Vice - Pmiiixl-
Chrisfield, '87; Corresponding Seirelary, An-
derson, '88 ; Recording Seeretary, Page, '87;
Capt. of Lacrosse, Post, '86; Capt. of Foolklh
Hart, '87.
Mi; Flack "87 was elected last year as cap-
tain of the lacrosse team, but the severe wo''''
of the Junior year compelled him to resipi'
He will, however, play on the team, probably
in the position which he has so ably fW'"
heretofore. In selecting Mr. Post as his suc-
cessor, the association has given evidence O'
their appreciation of that gentleman's *""
last year, as well as their faith in his ability'"
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
47
team lo success ; we would suggest
5et his men together as soon as pos-
d have them practice regularly. In
only can they hope to succeed.
)llowing gives the main features of the
meeting of Inter-Collegiate Lacrosse
ion, held on Saturday, Feb. 20th, in
rk:—
fificers elect are : A. Gardner, Har-
resident ; R. Mathews, N. Y. Univer-
e- Preside fit ; C. G. Riggs, Princeton,
^ and Treasurer ; executive com-
L. McK. Garrison, Harvard ; J. D.
tevens ; A. D. McKelvey, N. Y. Uni-
C. G. Riggs, Princeton,
nost important business transacted
regular admission of Stevens into the
on.
ame is to be played with Harvard at
n ; Princeton, at Princeton ; N. Y. U.,
I.
to be arranged later to suit the con-
\ of the teams.
allowing amendment to the rules of
:iation was adopted :
' home " team shall select the referee
umpire, and the visiting team the
ach subject to the consent of both
•
delegates present were : F. Hood, A.
, Harvard ; H. Hodge, Princeton ;
oberts, R. Mathews, N. Y. U. ; W. C.
evens. .
hus seen that the lacrosse at Stevens
o be a thing of the past, but has a
Litlook ahead. It is with a great deal
that the lacrosse team thus, after only
: of existence, enters on a level with
uch older than itself, and in thus al-
t, the directors do hope that it will re-
e proper enthusiastic support. Don't
le tough time the Druids had in barely
g Stevens ! Get out your sticks and
rather early to speak of football, but
obliged to express our approval of the
on of Mr. Hart. He will lose with
e fine men, but he has the material in
er classes for putting in the field a
at the Institute will be proud of. The
: of time at his disposal for next year
ble him to pay more attention to the
an heretofore, and bring them up to
ndard of excellence which is so much
esired.
ig given the association the credit it
5 for the faithful performance of its
duty, it becomes necessary for the Indicator,
as the representative of the students, to de-
mand an explanation from the Board of Direc-
tors for the wilful neglect of theirs. For two
weeks prior to the convention of the Inter-
collegiate Athletic Association, a notice was
on the bulletin board, informing the students
when and where it would take place. On
Feb. 27, representatives from the principal
colleges of the country met at the Fifth
Avenue Hotel and elected officers for the en-
suing year, while Stevens, although only across
the river, allowed this opportunity of securing
recognition to pass by unnoticed, seeming to
deem it not worth while to send a representa-
tive. Who is responsible for this ? Where is
the zeal that so exercised the Board last Fall,
when they took the football team in hand ?
Had they expended a little of it this time in
the right direction, we, too, might be repre-
sented among the offices, as Lehigh and La-
fayette are now. If our Board .do not think
it worth while to squander six cents for ferri-
age, then the quicker we withdraw from the
association the better.
The average salary of a college professor is
$1,530.
Harvard will put a football team in the
field next year.
The Yale crew will be composed of almost
entirely new men.
There are 31 colored students in the
Freshman class at Yale.
Harvard College paid the City of Boston,
last year, $18,000 as taxes.
The Freshman class at Oxford is said to
number 610 ; that at Cambridge 865.
An interesting chess tournament is going on
between Yale, Princeton and Columbia.
Manager Mutrie, of the New Yorks, has
been selected as the coach of the Columbia
College baseball team.
At a Harvard faculty meeting, held Feb.
25, the penalty for cuffing was changed from
suspension to expulsion.
48
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
The students of Lehigh, Boston School of
Technology, and Stevens Institute are advo-
cating the building of dormitories. — Ex.
Dartmouth has received a ^ooo scholar-
ship, on condition that no student who uses
tobacco shall receive any benefit from it.
The Yale Literary Magazine, the oldest
and best known of college periodicals, will
celebrate its semi-centennial in its next num-
ber.
The Harvard College catalogue states the
expenses of a student there to be, at least
$484; economical, $593; moderate, $812, and
very liberal, $1,360.
Probably the largest literary prize ever
ofifered is that of jfi, 000,000, to be given in
1925 by the Russian Academy for the best
work on the life and reign of Alexander I.
The faculty of Cornell has issued the fol-
lowing proclamation : " That, for the present,
attendance at recitations and lectures shall be
made voluntary for students of all colleges.
Among the excellent articles which appear
in the Troy Poiytechnic, for February, the two
on "American Railroads," and "Early Loco-
motives in America, are especially noticeable.
During President Porter's term of office as
President of Yale, the number of instructors
has increased from 71 to 114; the students,
from 755 to 1,076. The number of books in
libraries, from 90,000 to 173,000. Over $2,-
500,000 have been given in 15 years.
The indoor winter meeting of the Athletic
Association of the Boston School of Tech-
nology was held on Feb. 27. The chief in-
terest of the meeting centered in the sparring,
in which very little science was shown, it being
more of an exhibition of brute force than
sparring.
If the several college papers, who seem to
take delight in dwelling on the queer things
that are done and said by the students of Vas-
sar, would utilize the space thus taken up with
extracts from that excellent monthly known
as the Vassar Mis(dlany, we are sure that it
would prove much more interesting to their
readers.
The eleventh annual convention of the
Inter- collegiate Athletic Association was held
at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, Feb. 27th. Repre-
sentatives were present from the College of
the City of New York, Columbia, Harvard,
Lafayette, Lehigh, Princeton, the University of
Michigan, the University of Pennsylvania and
Yale. The University of Vermont was added
to the list of eighteen colleges, comprising
the association. The proposition of holding
the games on the grounds of the Univetsilyof
Pennsylvania, offered by the delegates of
U. P., was declined with thanks. Owing to
the increasing dissatisfaction with the starting
of races during the past an amendment to the
constitution was made, that " the starter shill
be a professional of known integrity aad
ability." It was decided to hold the games
on May 29, in New York city, on the grounds
of the Manhattan Athlectic Club. Next or-
der of business was election of officers. The
following; were elected : President, R. Ferrice,
University of Pennsylvania ; Fite-Presidtnt,
A. W. McCormick, Lafayette ; Secretary,
Clapp, of Lehigh. E. J. Wendel, of Har-
vard, and Maurice, of Columbia, were then
chosen as the Executive Committee.
TOO SHIFTLESS.
My love's eyes were blue
And my luve's heart woa true.
As we sailed on the river so calm;
My love's cheeks were red.
And her pretty bowed head
Told me something that caused no alarm.
We were wont thus to float
In my frail little boat,
With the useless oars thrown in the stern
Now, willi rudder-cords grasped
In hands gracefully clasped,
My love waited my story to leim.
" Ivay," I suggest,
As her hand 1 possess,
'• Will you steer for mo always like this ?
" I will not," she said.
" Steer for you. Muster Ne
I'll refuse you, no matter
For (o me 'tis quite clear.
That a boat will not steer-
Will not steer when its h.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
49
BALADA AMOROSO.
Andante con moto.
Solo.
^^' -^irr^^
TUTTI.
^
j To the hum of the flow - ing wa - ters
I Ere his voice had ful - filled its du - ty
A cav
He heard
-I-
a
a
Music by £. S.
Solo.
i
Her
sigh,
—I-
m
Called on
And a
e
m
fesSzni^g
appassionalu cres, poco a poco.
jfi:
TuTTi. appassionalu cres, po
one of earth's fair - est daughters, His song to hear.)
la - dy of peer - less beau - ty Stood list - 'ning by. )
His lute's sweet chords thro' air were
^
dramalico.
Calando,
«
-=?-—«--
i
gold - en riv
er,
flow on,
flow on,
■jL
&t
'^'
f^l
■^
thou shin - ing Gua - dal - quiv - irl
»i
£^:
P
In her eyes the fond youth is gazing
His soul away ;
To his mouth her white hand is raising,
In loving play ;
And the maid, though from him offended
Her palm she slips.
Only blushed when the kiss came mended
Upon her lips.
Again the lute's sweet chords were ringing.
Again in joy this strain was singing :
" Flow on, flow on, thou golden river I
Flow on, thou shining Guadalquivir I "
3 Then the hope of his dreams were uttered
With wild delight ;
And her heart in its bondage fluttered,
And then took flight.
Lo-g she lay, without thought of moving,
Upon his breast;
And all those who have souls for loving.
May guess the rest.
Once more the lute's sweet chords were ringing.
While maid and youth in joy were singing:
" F'low on, flow on, thou golden river !
Flow on, thou blessed Guadalquivir 1"
r
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
THE STEVENS MAN.
. ite Ste
. The Ste
3. The Sie - VI
Jul - ly good fel-Iow; His Imx JAtt-hiteand his whis-keis are yeMow ; He
lot'ly old jok-er; He eii - chre can play and al - so draw^po-ker; llt'-
jol-ly old duf-fcr; He's not the fe!-lowhsrd us-age to iiuf-fetiTI
m^^^^^mm
im' - irdiinkswhisky, rum. tiian-dy. or gin, Thinks punch is a (0I - 1y< and grog is a sJn i Tbo*
full of good sto-ries and laugh- a - ble squibs, So droll and so strange thai the v tie- kir one's rits; He
poiirfKlk haven't >it-pencc.bc'l] still lake their pans; And Ihoselhalbe ail-ing, he'll com-lon their hearts. Eacb
^^ES^P^^m^^
p^fefg^gig=sigii5ngigi
__, _, hLi stu-dy — ne'er goes to bed so-bcr; Andmasbomin the jol - ly old month of Oc-lo-bcr. Oil
lau^lisandall]augh;and, I know '<T5 no fa-ble, His friendsfrom his jokes haveroM'd under the U-blel Oh
gtrl thro' his means finds 3 lov - er to court her; And he ofl gives Ihc hun-gry the loan oE a qaortcr. Oh
'_g^^^^S^U^^^^^
- ly good health to ihc Sle
m^j^^^m^mmm^^mm
*^^*
il^^Mefep
j«t jl|»l»il, 1886. *:
Ra 4.
-Const/usg.
I of 1*« " JC«»ii« .
coj*. .
TifE stevnitfr m pre a tor.
STEVENS HIGH SCHOOU
THE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT
STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
RIVER STREET, beL 3lh and 6th. HOSDKES. H. J..
OPENS SEPTEMBER 16, 1885.
SxaratHBtlotid tat &dinl^icn CD -.ha Uta one l5th of Stfrt^mber
FULL COURSES OF STUDY, PREPARATORY TO SCHOOLS OF SCIENCE AKD COLLEG
JUNIOR DEPARTMENT, - - - - 87Q.OO PER AffNUM.
SENIOR DEPARTMENT, * . . ' . 8I6O4OO PER AMMUM.
irboM Mvm*' ItkOlua* all ibM •tudisB.
Tqt Cstaiccaet apply to tbo Llbruisa at Staraaa tb«BUn«>
'jQflieveits jHdi(iel®P.
HOBOKEN, N. J., APRIL, i886.
No. 4.
Two uamenBe trunk lines, starting from the
_»olis, and connecting all the chief cities
fthe 'Empire State with the West, their roads
mile) and their termini the same, are by
B»tion powerful rivals. Such are the New
Vork Central and the West Shore Railroads,
whose interests have lately been made identi-
cal. To one interested in railroading, 3 com-
parison of the histories of these two is most
instructive.
The West Shore Railroad is, from an en-
gineering point of view, to be considered a
masterly piece of workmanship. Leaving out
its financial difficulties, it is a triumph of mod-
em skill. Everything was constructed in ac-
cordance with true principles of science. The
road-bed, heavily ballasted with broken stone,
and laid with steel rails weighing sixty-seven
pounds to the yard, gave an opportunity to
start out with locomotives of the maximum
weight and dimensions, which locomotive de-
signers have thus far found practicable for
efficient service. With a thorough equipment
of systematically classified passenger and
freight cars of best construction the road be-
gan its career.
On June 4th, 1883, the first division of the
railway was opened between New York and
Newburg ; the remaining four sections were
thrown open, one after the other, and the be-
gining of the next year found the entire road
in running order. The New York terminal
stations, however, were not completed, and it
was not until June aist, 1885, that the entire
railroad was open, and independent of all
other lines. Starting out, as it did. with its
almost perfect roadway and rolling stock, it
stands out in strong contrast with the other
r<>ad, whose history is half a century older
and whose growth has been more laborious.
The New York Central Railroad, although
the larger and richer, is still, on the whok-, a
road inferior to the West Shore. Its early his-
tory wears almost an ancient aspect when
viewed with eyes that have seen the other
r jfiym infancy to perfection in two or
three years. Most trunk lines have been
formed by the gradual absorption or union of
lesser railroads into one great mainway. The
New York Centra! is an instance of this kind.
Of the history of one of its parts, the Hudson
and Mohawk, we find some interesting facts,
in a scientific work published in 1835. The
Hudson & Mohawk Railroad Company was
incorporated by the Legislature of New York
in i8z6. On August id, 1830, the ground
was broken at Schenectady for the purjjose of
commencing the construction of the road,
which was carried on in the following manner :
After the leveling was finished, under each
line of rails square holes were dug at the dis-
tance of three feet from centre to centre, capa-
ble of containing nine cubic feet of broken
stone. Into these the broken stone was thrown
and rammed down; on this foundation, stone
blocks, dressed on the upper side only, were
placed. The next step was to drill holes in
the face of the stone. In these drillings small
plugs of locust wood, about four inches long
and an inch in diameter, were loosely placed.
Into these plugs were driven the iron spikes
which held down the cast iron chairs; these
chairs were double or single. The double
chairs were of suflicient length to pass across
beneath the rail, and were used in the propor-
tion of one to three single chairs, which were
on each side of the rail, but did not pass un-
der it.
The rails of the track were composed of
plate iron laid on yellow pine stringers. The
stringer timbers were about twenty feet long
and six inches square, and were placed in the
iron chairs, wedged with wooden wedges on
the outside into a true line. The wrought
iron raits were strips, two and a half inches at
the bottom, and rounded off to seven-eighths
on the top; their thickness was nine-sixteenths
of an inch. These bars were tongued and
grjoved, and were secured to the wooden
stringers by iron spikes driven through oval
openings, to provide for expansion and con-
traction of the metal. At the distance of
twenty feel, tie pieces as a security, were laid
down to bind the rails together and to keep
them in their proper position.
52
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
The railroad was operated at first by horse
power, and grades were overcome by inclined
planes at different points along the route, up
which the cars were hauled by stationary en-
gines. The passenger coaches were hung on
through braces, like a stage coach, and rode
with comparative smoothness. Two locomo-
tives were put on soon after; one of them an
English engine, and one of American manu-
facture. The latter was built in New York,
by the West Point Foundry Association, and
was quite light, weighing six tons. The Eng-
lish engine weighed eight tons, and was car-
ried on four wheels, connected and placed
close together, according to the prevailing
idea that this was necessary in order to facili-
tate the motion around curves. A locomotive
with a leading truck, was built and placed
upon the road in 1832, which gave better sat-
isfaction.
Other links in the railroad were built at
intervals of from two to three years, until, in
about 1845, the line was complete, with the
exception of gaps between the different roads
composing the line. All the roads were then
operated by steam, but the running time was,
with the frequent change of cars, very slow.
Trains running from Albany to Buffalo would
travel all day, stop at Syracuse over night, and
finish the journey the next day. In summer,
two daily trains were run each way, but in
winter only one daily train each way.
In the year 1849 an entire revolution in the
mode of travel took place. The different rail-
way companies on the line united their tracks,
took up the thin bar rail and put down a uni-
form T rail. New locomotives and improved
saloon cars, or long cars seating thirty or forty
persons, were put on the track, and the trains
began to run at a regular speed. The several
railroads between Albany and Buffalo, being
thirteen distinct corporations, were consoli-
dated, in 1853, to form the New York Central
Railroad, which was afterwards incorporated
with the Hudson River Railroad, and thus the
through line was completed.
Albitan.
FATE OF THE ** STEVENS BATTERY."
If any of the millionaires who are owners of
the new Queen Anne Cottages at Babylon, Bay
Shore, or some of the other summer resorts
on Long Island, were to be told that their
handsome wood-work finishings are merely rem-
nants of the old " Stevens Battery " the state-
ment would probably be received with many
doubts. Yet such is the fact. A few remarks
on the dimensions and general appearance of
the vessel will probably not be amiss.
Length over all 401 feet.
Length between perpendicnlars. . . 390 "
Breadth 45 "
Breadth over armor 54 "
Depth to main deck 24^ "
Draught maximum, fore and aft. ... 22 "
Displacement at 22 ft. draught, 6,006.02 tons.
Area of immersed midship section,890.26 sq. ft.
Ratio of immersed midship section
to circumscribed parallelogram.. 0.867
Ratio of displacement to circum-
scribing paxallelopiped 0544
Number of steam cylmders 4
Diameter. 72 inch.
Stroke of piston 43 "
Number of screw propellers. 2
Diameter " •* 18 sq. ft.
Pitch " " 27 "
Number of boilers 10
Area of heating surface ..28,000 sq. ft.
Area of grate surface. 876 "
The general appearance of the vessel, if
completed as Professor Thurston recom-
mended, would have been of a monitor iron-
clad. The proportion of length to breadth,
8.666 to I, is that now usually observed in
sea-going, high-powered steamers, and is some-
what less than in those which represented the
extreme limit yet attained.
The lines are fair and fine, giving a sharp
bow, and the fine run, which is essential to the
efficient working of screw propellers. The
proportion of the midship section which has
a breadth equal very nearly to double the in-
tended draught, were such as are best calcu-
lated to make the vessel easy in a sea-way.
Seven transverse bulkheads were built, divid-
ing the ship into distinct water-tight compart-
ments. Two additional ones were carried
across the ship below the berth-deck. Coal
bunker bulkheads forward and aft, and several
smaller ones in the extreme ends of the vessel
still further strengthened the structure. The
hull was made still stronger by the bulkheads
of the turret chamber, which stiffened the
whole structure by tying the decks, the coal-
bunkers, and the lower longitudinal bulk-
heads firmly together. When Mr. Stevens
presented the famous vessel to the State of
New Jersey the United States Government
decided that a man-of-war could not be ac-
cepted as the individual property of any State.
Mr. Stevens then offered it to the National
Government, but it was refused as being in-
adequate to perform the duties required of a
war ship. Several suits followed this decis-
ion between the estate of Mr. Stevens and the
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
53
f New Jersey, which claimed that al-
it could not hold the vessel it was en-
) its value in money. The final decis-
in favor of the 3tate, and the " Stevens
," as it stood on the ways, was sold to
\. Laimbeer, of New York City, for
). The heirs of Mr. Stevens say that
t over $2,000,000 upon his pet object
ion to $500,000 allowed by the Govern-
In his will was a codicil ordering the
iture of $1,200,000, making the total
the vessel $3,700,000. Mr. Laimbeer
en six months to remove his purchase,
half of that time he turned it over to
vens Institute of Technology for the
ts students. In consequence. Prof. R.
irston was able to give his pupils three
of the most interesting practical study
5 ever been available in this part of the
r
•
dismantling of the hull occupied the
I of the time allotted to the purchaser,
day during this period were there less
men at work, while at times the number
to 100. The wood- work was all found
f the finest Georgia pine in high state
ervation. That used in the sides of
1 was in layers to the thickness of 5 ft.
These layers were dovetailed together
:ured by bolts 4 ft. long. In and
these joinings cresote was packed in
uantities, and, although this wood had
1 place for more than 20 years, it was
to be in better condition than when
cut. All the skill of the workmen and
ength of tools could not force the
)f wood apart and the work was finally
yr burning. It was found to be exceed-
ry and susceptible of high polish, and, as
n stated, a large quantity of it has been
the new cottages built and building on
th shore of Long Island. From the hold
ken two engines of 6,000 horse-power
lade expressly for use in a twin screw
and, therefore, worthless. These were
up and sold to the Delamater Iron
from whence they came. In addition
wo propelling engines, there were six-
riving engines which were preserved
tnd taken to the coal mines in Penn-
a, where they are still used as superior
lew inventions. Over 2,000 tons of iron
ere taken from the vessel and sold to
aissagua Iron Works, in Pennsylvania,
% of it was rolled in this country,
alance was sent abroad. The bolts
[1 the construction of this vessel were
made in Scotland for that purpose and
possessed unusual tensile qualities. These
were in good condition after their long years
of service and were shipped to England, where
they were used in the manufacture of shot-
gun barrels. When all the movable articles
had been carted away the two pointed ends of
the boat were chopped off and the immense
hull parted with its own weight. The labor
of collecting the remnants was then compara-
tively easy. Immense quantities of giant powder
were used, however, to reduce the bulk of the
iron to a mass small enough to be carted
away. There remains intact to-day but one
article that was used on board the " Stevens
Iron-clad Battery." It is a large bronze bell
4 ft. in circumference and hangs in the tower
of a school-house in Tenafly, New Jersey.
« ^ » »
OBELISKS; FROM AN ENGINEERING
STAND-POINT.
Paper III. — Erection.
It may, perhaps, be rather disappointing to
my readers if, at the very beginning of this
paper, I -tell them that, as to the method of
erection we know absolutely nothing. The an-
cient writers record, indeed, the facts, but en-
ter into no detail, praise no engineering gen-
ius. In their strange blendings of truth and
tradition they had no place for critical de-
scription of any sort. Worse even than this ;
we may inspect all known hieroglyphs, and
nowhere will we be able to find any record
left by their authors, in regard to methods of
erection. It therefore goes without saying,
that whatever statements I may advance in
the course of this paper will be based upon
the various hypotheses alone.
There is a peculiar notion in the popular
mind that the Egyptians accomplished all
their great works by sheer man-power. This
is but partially true, as I shall show hereafter.
I wish now to speak of the man-power. Among
the Egyptians, only convicts and slaves were
obliged to act as beasts of burden. The race
was too highly educated — I speak advisedly —
to be put to such work. Even the slaves, in
the light of this great civilization, were fitted
for better positions. Inheritance is a great
factor in science or art, and a man whose fore-
fathers, for generations, have pursued one oc-
cupation, is eminently well qualified to adopt
the same calling. Thus, even in the poorest
classes, sculpture and engineering were not
54
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
unknown; and, from the middle classes, Egypt
produced sculptors and engineers — the best of
the latter the world has ever seen. We see,
now, that when we speak of man-power, we
refer to convict labor. It is not hard to show
that machines must have been used in connec-
tion with this convict labor. A contradictory
supposition has, however, been advanced. Let
us first dispose of that. Sharpe, in his '' His-
tory of Egypt," attempts an explanation, as
follows:
" The obelisk was placed in a horizontal po-
sition, so that its foot rested upon the edge of
the pedestal ; in the latter a groove was cut.
Next, the obelisk was turned upon this groove
as an axis, its foot resting in the groove. This
raising process was accomplished by building
a mound under its head." Obviously enough,
the question is, Haiv to build that mound J
Recollect, nothing has been said concerning
lifting jacks. I leave this weak attempt at
explanation to pass for what it is worth.
Numerous as are the speculations upon the
subject, not one of them is supported by evi-
dence. In fact, there is no other evidence
than this : From a careful examination of the
length of time involved in obelisk erection {as
given in their own records), the obelisks could
not have been put in place in the stated time,
unless the application of poiver, involved in the
execution of the work, was at least equal to any
modern application of mechanical force. Now,
since the ancients had only men and oxen to
furnish the requisite force, it follows that ma-
chines were used ; and in all probability, these
were derricks, the Egyptians being quite well
acquainted with the use of the pulley-block.
It can now be laid down as a probable, and
almost necessary supposition, that the obelisks
were erected by derricks, the power l^eing fur-
nished by gangs of men. But how, it is im-
mediately asked, did the derricks take up the
obelisks ? Another disputed point ! One says
that a groove was used, as before mentioned,
and the derrick substituted for the mound of
earth. Another says, that Commander Gor-
ringe, in erecting the "Needle" in Central
Park, only copied the ancient method, /. c,, an
inclined plane, up which the stone was drawn
bottom first, and then tilted into place by
means of trunnions. I think we may readily
allow both of these methods, since there is
nothing whatever to show in opposition to
them. As an interesting fact, I will state that
one or more obelisks have been found erected
in a court-yard, whose limited area precludes
the use of an inclined plane, and which is
known to have been in position before the
obelisk was erected.
I have tried to show how little can be said
concerning the erection of obelisks. In my
paper on Quarrying, ' I adduced testimony
from modem methods employed in ancient
countries. This plan was tried with less re-
sult in the second paper ; and in this, the
third, there are no sources from which to draw
the suggestions which we so much desire.
The reason for this is apparent. As we un-
ravel the mystery, we become more and more
bewildered by the speed with which the range
of circumstances attending the erections out-
strips the increase of knowledge on the sub-
ject. If we could turn to India, and there
find, in the nmeteenth century, methods of
erection which had been used from time imme-
morial, we might naturally conclude that the
problem before us had been solved. But un-
fortunately this is impossible, and so we find
the theories which we have deemed most
worthy of belief forever dashed from our
hands and the destroyers can point to nothing
which will in any way assist us in the adop-
tion of true theories. The critic is ever ready
to cast down, but seldom to build up.
Let me say, then, in closing this subject,
which I hope may have proved interesting to
at least a few of my readers, that there is one
great difficulty encountered by the scientific stu-
dent groping in the dust of past ages. It is this.
He is not prepared to hear his neighbor say :
" That specimen is valueless ; throw it away ! "
and so he clings tenaciously to his theory,
crying : " Show me a better, and I will throw
this away." But of times his supposed treasure
is torn from him, and he cries out despair-
ingly : " You have stolen my treasure ; what
do you offer in return !" Only the truest of
of the brave explorers pass with undiminished
ardor through this crisis. Chic.
< # »>
ELEMENTARY BLOW-PIPE ANALYSIS.
VL
The elements which are detected in the last
group are mainly the metals — gold, silver,
copper, tin, lead, bismuth and antimony.
These are determined as metals, and barium,
strontium, calcium, magnesium and aluminium,
which are determined as oxides. The test
for sulphuric acid also comes in this group.
The additional apparatus required are a
small hammer and a piece of polished steel to
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
55
5 an anvil, in order to test the malle-
or brittleness of the metallic beads.
>n soda or sodium carbonate will be re-
as a reagent. Powder the test substance,
1 small quantity upon the palm of the
aix with twice the volume of powdered
'ter moistening the entire mass, so as to
:hick dough. This is placed in a small
9n the charcoal and heated with the
g flame. At first blow rather gently,
• drive off the water which was used
to prevent the powder from being
id by the blast.
soda will form a slag with the foreign
combined with the elements, and, if
itly fluid, will draw into the charcoal,
the metallic bead upon the surface.
the slag be very thick, a little more
ly be added, which will aid in the re-
and allow the small particles of the
o sink to the bottom of the cavity and
2 into a globule. In some cases, as
pper and tin, the small metallic par-
>rabine only with great difficulty into a
but remain scattered in the slag.
his occurs the slag, with a portion of
rcoal, should be cut out, powdered in
agate mortar, stirred up with water,
lighter particles poured off with the
This is repeated until the small
disks are seen and recognized at the
of the mortar. If necessary, they
combined into a large globule by
with a little soda on charcoal.
9f course, understood that gold, silver
)per require a hotter flame than the
lements for reducing or remelting.
the metals of this group in most of
mpounds are reduced by the action of
rcoal and the reducing flame alone,
een shown in the incrustation group.
:ry few exceptions, the metals are ob-
rom all their compounds, either nat-
artificial, by the aid of soda, while the
ns, when they occur, may be treated
assium cyanide instead of soda.
lethod of obtaining the metallic beads
;ely the same with all the metals, and
i then distinguished from each other
• physical properties, as color, malle-
brittleness and fusibility. If these
ully satisfactory, a few simple chemical
y be performed.
s yellow in color, malleable, and fuses
cherry red. Silver has a silver- white
malleable, and fuses at light red heat,
be mistaken for tin, especially if the
bead is small. Dissolve a part of the bead in
nitric acid, dilute it and add a drop of hydro-
chloric acid or a solution of common salt. A
thick white precipitate of silver chloride indi-
cates the presence of silver. Copper is very
easily recognized by its red color, malleability
and fusion at red heat. Tin is white, malle-
able, and fuses below red heat. It may be
mistaken for silver. Apply the incrustation
test with cobalt-nitrate solution. Lead is
easily known by its lead-gray color, malle-
ability and low point of fusion. In case of
doubt apply the incrustation test with sulphur
and potassium iodide.
Bismuth is yellowish-white in color, brittle
and fuses below red heat ; the incrustation
test given under lead may be applied.
Antimony is white, brittle, and fuses below
red heat. The bead, if heated to redness, will
remain red for quite some time after it has
been removed from the flame, and will be-
come covered with a thick layer of crystals of
antimony oxide which often covers the entire
bead. The corresponding incrustation will
also be observed.
If the test substance is one of the alkaline
earths, which are generally white in color, the
soda will form a fusible slag with the oxides of
aluminium, strontium and magnesium which
will draw into the charcoal ; but with calcium
and barium oxides the soda does not combine,
and will, therefore, remain on the surface of
the charcoal while the soda draws in. By this
method traces of calcium and barium may be
detected in a mixture containing also the
other earths. When strontium, barium or
calcium is suspected, the flame color test
should be applied to a fresh portion of the
substance. If aluminium, magnesium or cal-
cium is supposed to be present, a fresh part of
the substance should be heated to nearly white
heat, after cooling, moistened with the cobalt-
nitrate solution and again heated to nearly
white heat for some time.
The presence of aluminium will be indicated
by a blue color throughout the test-piece. If
magnesium is present it is shown by a very
delicate pink color which often cannot be re-
cognized distinctly unless compared with some
white article, most conveniently a sheet of
white paper. Calcium is recognized by a gray
color.
The test for sulphuric acid is made by mix-
ing the moist powdered substance with twice
its bulk of soda, and heating with a good re-
ducing flame. This causes the mixture to
draw into the charcoal ; it is then cut out.
crushed upon a piece of sheet silver or a silver
coin and moistened with water. A black or
brownish -black spot upon the silver will in-
dicate the presence of sulphuric acid in the
original test-piece. The reactions taking place
on the charcoal are represented by the
formula.
BaS04+Na,CO,+iC=Na,S
+BaO+3CO,
Those taking place on the silver are repre-
sented by
Na,S+2Ag-|-3H,0=Ag,S+aNaHO+2H
This test is a very delicate one and very
minute traces of sulphuric acid can be de-
tected by it, therefore common illuminating
gas should never be used in making this test, as
it almost always contains sulphuric acid which
produces a very distinct reaction. O. Pf.
{Tohiconcludid.)
AERIAL NAVIGATION.
ft has been often said, that we are living in
an age of progress, in a century of inventions.
To show how far we are justified in calling it
thus, would be futile; besides, history shows
us that almost every age was modest enough
to claim that appellation — no era whatsoever
would have iiesired to be called an age of
retrogression.
Apart from this, we find our age specially
occupied with the investigation of certain
laws, forces or objects, all of which are not
yet fully understood. Our century, for this
reason, is indeed an age of research. The
mind of man in general has bfcorae active ;
every one is now thinking and working for
himself, while our great philosophers and
scientists are puzzling over unsolved problems
to benefit the human race.
Among these problems, which are gradually
being solved, is that of manageable aerostation.
The prospect of sailing upon the air, and sub-
duing the winds themselves ; to rival the flight
or birds ; to rise with safety nearer to the
clouds, and look down upon that diminutive
creation below, where individual man, with his
limited knowledge and with his unbounded
fancy, is altogether lost ; the ambition to
spurn our "old mother earth," and to defy
her bond, the law of gravitation ; these anti-
cipations and such as these are sufficient lo
fire the mind of even the dullest and lo make
him long for a perfect knowledge of aerial
navigation.
And, indeed, what nian cannot accomplish
in rc'ality, he at least imagines in his creative
luind. In ancient times man dreamed of sno
cessfuUy passing through the air; we read of
poets ascending to the clouds on the back of
the winged horse Pegasus ; of deities flying or
walking through the air.
The middle ages, again, with their fan-
tastic beliefs, invest their angels and demon;
with wings. All, however, think of flifilil
chiefly as something supernatural and un-
attainable by man ; they give vent to their
unsatisfied desire in this indirect way.
Some exceptionally daring minds meditated
on the construction of wings, naturally choos-
ing those of the birds as their models. Thus
we find Daidalos of Athens, the famous builder
of the Cretan labyrinth, occupying his timt,
during exile, in making wings for himself and
for his son. He is said to have succeeded ; but,
although the manner in which he constrticKd
his machines with the feathers of birds has
been minutely described, no man in aller
times was able to attain equal success ! Iron
had also been tried, but it proved too heavy ;
and several inventors paid as martyrs (?) of
science, with their lives, the daring with which
they trusted themselves to their deceitful in-
ventions.
At last, in 1782, the Montgolfier Brothers
constructed the first balloon. Man thinks bis
dream is realized ; he imagines himself, no».
endowed with the power of sailing through the
air ! He, the lord of the earth and of ife
water, has also conquered the air !
The great philosophers of the time set them-
selves at work ; different gases are used for
filling the balloon ; now heated air, now
hydrogen, and later coal gas ; nidders, p»<i-
die wheels, sails, oars, wings, and even sieam
engines are placed on board and tried. Men
like Roiier, Charles Gay Lussac, entrust their
lives to the inconstant air, more fickle ihan
the water, and they ascend to the enomions
heighthof twenty-three thousand (33,000) feel.
In our own country, we even find balloon
companies organizing. One of these, tte
"Aerial Navigation Company," was started in
New York, in 1834. The prospectus of ilii'
corporation had a minute description of iHe
machine : it stated that the ship was lo be
made to carry twenty thousand (20,000)
pounds of passengers and freight ; thatavoy-
age from New Vork to London would be made
against all obstacles in six (6 ) days, and *-ilii
everything in its fax-or in less than one(0
day! — But what has become of this Company?
However, the excitement has not yet fully
subsided. Who can describe the feeling of
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
57
ition that fills our breast when we gaze
d to watch the flight of the balloon !
e are unsatisfied with this display of our
"ect powers.
2ems to be the mockery of heaven ! We
e but a taste of flying, and wish the more
is free as the birds in the region of the
•Ve are at the mercy of capricious
; it is they, on which the direction of
ght depends. Man, tired of this dis-
itment relinquishes all hope of ever see-
; favorite dream realized. In the mean-
various scientists, inventors and me-
s are toiling away in the dark recesses
work-shop ; now and then the light of
irious outside world is allowed to find
f into the sanctuary. Then there passes
;h the journals a pulsation ; some person
heard of before has invented a flying
le — its construction is a/w^j/ completed;
\ we hear that " Prof. Tissandier, in Paris,
St began the building of an electric
ti with which he will sail around Paris,"
t Monsieur Renard has accomplished
jat feat of sailing against a strong wind,
all is quiet again until some other
le is said to occupy some other person's
thus from day to day we are encour-
o expect, at some future time, a com-
manageable machine for navigation in
•
jther this age shall yet see a successful
ion of this sort cannot be foretold. Let
>^, however, that when the nineteenth
y has run its course, it will have added
achievements with which it is already
id, that precious victory of man over
nds.
■♦-#"
PECTION TOURS, CLASS OF '86.
ng to press of other work during exam-
i, we have been unable to get ready an
it of the inspection touis of '86. On
9, about thirty members of the class
Bethlehem. To chronicle the fun
take a column of our paper. To
cle the work, we would have to issue a
ment. The Eastern trip will be next
programme, and we hope to give in
ay number an account of both excur-
A SAW WITHOUT TEETH.
A saw without teeth, that will cut a steel
rail in two minutes, is in operation at the Cen-
tral Hudson shops in Greenbush, N. Y. The
saw is run by a ninety horse-power engine,
more power than is required to run all the
other machinery in the shops, and is thirty-
eight inches in diameter, and three-eighths of
an inch thick at the edge. The disk is made
of Bessemer steel, and runs at a very high rate
of speed. While in operation a band of fire
encircles the saw, and the many sparks flying
from the revolving disk resemble a display of
pyrotechnics. To keep the saw cool and pre-
vent it from cracking, a tank of water is placed
above the machine, from which a small stream
runs down and drops on the saw while in mo-
tion. By this plan one saw will cut nearly
3,ooo rails before it is worn out. A steel rail,
after about six years' constant use, becomes
battered at the ends, and by cutting them off
the rails can be used in branch and switch
tracks. Rails are cut by this machine for the
whole line of the Central Hudson Railroad.
The saw, while cutting, bears down hard on
the rail, the end of which is left as smooth as
the bottom of a flat-iron. One remarkable
thing about the machine is, that the chips cut
from the rail fly back under the saw with such
force as to form a solid piece of steel nearly
as firm as the rail itself.
« ^»*
GEORGE WESTINGHOUSE.
George Weatinghouse owes his great and
rapidly increasing wealth to his inventive
genius. Twenty years ago he was a poor
young man, but he struck it rich in his air
brake for railroads, and money has since
flowed into his coffers in a golden stream. He
is one of the most prolific inventors of the
age, and has enough good mechanical ideas to
furnish every manufacturing establishment in
Pittsburgh with successful specialties. He is
not only highly skilled in theoretical and
practical mechanics, but is also a thorough
electrician. He expends an ordinary fortune
every year in experiments necessary to the
perfection of his inventions. By warrant of
the King of Belgium he is entitled to the title
of Sir George Westinghouse, having been
knighted by that monarch as a recognition of
his services to the world as an inventor. He
is a native of New York State, and is about
40 years old. — N. K. Sun,
>s
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^^mJ all other communications by mail, should be addressed
A* The Stevens Indicator, Stevens Institute, Hoboken,
i^tters for publication should be wntteti legibly in ink,
mf*m one side of the paper ; unless too long, they will be
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The editors do not hold themselves responsible for opin-
ions expressed in literary articles or communications.
ALUMNI; ATTENTION I
WE are surprised and disappointed at the
action taken by the Executive Com-
mitte of the alumni in regard to the Indi-
cator. If we are rightly informed, the de-
cision not to support the paper is due to the
fact that the editors are neither chosen by the
college at large nor by the classes, but by a
stock company. Without rehearsing the diffi-
culties under which the editors of the old re-
gime labored, it may be well to state here why
and by whom the stock company was formed.
To begin with, the Indicator Publishing
Co. was formed because even the editors under
the old rule did not properly attend to their
work, and it was considered desirable that
when a man was elected to such a position he
should bring with him a guarantee of good
faith. The sum of ^s^ dollars was settled
upon by the incorporators as a ])roper guaran-
tee, since a person who has invested money in
a venture is pretty sure to be interested in the
success of the venture.
In the second place, it was moved and
carried at the college meeting — convened for
the purpose of taking action on the resigna-
tion of the last board appointed by the col-
lege— that the chairman of the meeting
appoint seven men to form- a stock ctrnpany
and draw up a constitution. This answers the
second question.
It has ever been far from our purpose to
antagonize the alumni ; and now that they
have taken formal action upon the matter we
are anxious to come to an understanding
which will give us the support of those to
whom we should naturally look for encourag^
ment. We know that dissatisfaction has been
expressed with the basis upon which our paper
is conducted. Therefore, we most earnestly ^^
peal to those alumni who have this college ven-
ture at heart, that they will send us letters upon
the subject, expressing freely their opinions.
These communications we will publish. It
will be interesting to hear the different plans
of action proposed. The Indicator Pub-
lishing Co. stands ready to go half way
toward the alumni in any scheme that they
may offer.
One more statement before we drop the pen.
The company will appoint a committee to
confer with a similar committee from the
alumni, the number of men and the time to be
decided by the latter. We consider a confer-
ence necessary because those who have
labored upon the spot will be able to give the
older men the peculiarities of the require-
ments which, in a scientific school, differ so
widely from those in a school of arts. Let us
hear from the alumni !
n GAIN it becomes necessary to criticise
-Gl severely the conduct of a certain few
students (who call themselves gentlemen).
We allude to those students who sit upon the
Institute steps, and by their disgraceful con-
duct tend to bring our College into disrepute.
Two or three thoughtless or reckless fellows
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
59
iir behavior, determine the public
the morals of the college. It is a
ted on all sides, that students living
re guilty of conduct in Hoboken
' would carefully avoid elsewhere,
le townspeople are partly blamable
n that they appear at all times
c to the college. However that be
excuse the students. A gentleman
a gentleman everywhere. If it be
I an assemblage of over two hun-
; men there will surely be found one
o are not gentlemen, we answer :
t be able to make a man a gentle-
rt, but we can at least make him a
in appearances ; and for this pur-
II to our aid public opioion. Let
ive no more attempts to attract the
f every lady passer-by. And above
young ladies have a chance to gaze
eautiful buildings and the enthusi-
se players without the slightest fear
suited from the Institute steps.
catalogue has appeared, much be-
ual time. At first glance one can
J or no change in the contents ; and
are several noteworthy deviations
old order of things. Upon the
e, and filling the place made vacant
h of Mr. Shippen, is the name of
•ton. Ph. D. This is manifestly as
e; it is fitting that our President
. trustee of the institution to which
n so much of his money and valu-
On the opposite page, in the old
was a clause relating to lectures on
jineering; this clause has entirely
i from the last issue. We are sorry
ranch has been formally dropped
:ourse ; but it is better thus than
uld remain a dead letter in the
•
ly note some of the other changes :
uction of the study of Spanish in
888, taking the place of French,
from that time be required for en-
Belles-Lettres, in addition to Shaw,
•f Chaucer, Shakespere, Bacon and
Milton. The announcement of the decision
not to found a separate course of electrical
engineering, but to incorporate electricity into
the present course.
« ^ » »
Those students who use the library for a
lunch-room will do well to keep out of the
way of the irate senior when he consults the
ponderous and musty tomes with which our
library abounds. It is disagreeable, if not dis-
gusting, to be obliged to handle a book whose
cover and pages alike are smeared with but-
• ter, cheese, and even jelly. To the thought-
less student who mumbles his mid-day meal
while poring lazily over some valuable book,
it is the height of enjoyment ; but to those
who come after him it is a destroyer of relig-
ious principles and an unnecessary display of
filth. Fie ! even the " preps " know better
than to act thus.
* ♦»»
It is about time that new erasers were pro-
vided for the black-boards in some of the
recitation rooms. There are two principal
reasons why such action should be taken.
One is, because the efficiency of a block of
wood rubbed upon a pine board is very small
as regards erasing power ; and the other is,
because the noise produced seriously inter-
feres with the progress of the recitations. We
notice that there are at least three varieties of
chalk in use throughout the building. One
grade, a peculiarly soapy variety, has gained
our preference owing to the ease with which
it may be erased, leaving a uniformly shaded
surface for fresh use.
To the Editors of the Indicator :
Looking over the work of the lacrosse
team of last year, one can easily see that one
of the main reasons for the poor showing
it made in the league was lack of team practice,
for in the beginning we were almost nothing
in the lacrosse world ; but after we had
played a number of games in which we were
in earnest and did our best, we proved no
despicable opponents to the Druids even.
Any amount of individual practice will not
make a team that can hope to compete with
teams who continually, and from the earliest
opportunity, take all the team practice possi-
ble. It is true that we have not as many
players and have a very large amount of work
to perform but that is no excuse for the ones who
are not working to stay away from practice, as
is often the case. We have not the players to
practice the team as a whole ; but we must do
the next best thing and divide it, which will
give the required thing to a great, degree.
Another great fault of ours is individual play-
ing. Although this is very pretty it is not
effectual, and all authoritie.s on the subject
cannot condemn it too severely.
There i.s no saying what we cannot do this
year against our older opponents. Judging
from the playing at the tournament we ought
to beat our old enemy. Princeton. We have
on our team some of the best players in the
college world, and ought to try the best to
show up in this game as it is the only chance
of making a first-class standing with our big
rivals. There are more practising for the team
this year than ever before and it is to be
hoped that it will be hard enough work getting
on the team to make the players get in trim
for playing ; and if, in selecting the team, the
captain insists on this, that as far as possible
the players be in fighting order, it will do
much to elevate the standard of our team. It
is to be hoped that all of these hints will do
some good and that the proper spirit will be
shown by all, and in this way insure success
to Stevens. Plaver.
To the Editors of the Indicator :
■'The High School must go" has been
heard so often that it may be a matter of
curiosity in some minds as to whether there
are any reasons why it should not go ; and
fairness requires that such reasons be duly
considered, if any conditions do exist that go
to counterbalance certain annoyances so fre-
quently mentioned.
As a preliminary, the High School has the
right to stay, owning the property it occupies,
and does not exist in its present position by
sufferance of the Institute. The first " High
School must go" editorial was written in an
editorial room belonging to the High School ;
so little was this understoad that when the
growth of the school required that it should
occupy that room, the editors thought only of
the opportunity to get in another " dig " at the
school.
It is hardly worth while to suppose, even as
a basis for a sarcastic remark, that the gentle-
men raising the cry are prepared to make the
deficiency good, to be caused by the loss of
some thousands of dollars now annually paid
into the general fund «f the Institute from the
surplus of the High School. This point needs
no discussion. Every student in the school
pays far more in proportion for his luititm
than any student in the Institute.
The causes for the cry appear to be as fol-
lows : I, noise about the building ; 2, mon-
opoly of the rear Campus, and 3, occasional
intrusion with Institute halls! Of these, the
first and second constitute a grievance that
cannot be avoided under present circum-
stances, occasionally becoming a genuine
nuisance ; but they never last more than one
hour and a half in the day, most of that lime
being " off hours " in the Institute, The
third mentioned has been specially prohibited
by Prof. Wall, who takes pains to enforce the
prohibition.
It would appear that a mere desire to saj
something was the cause for certain fliogs at
the appearance and behavior of High School
students, ivho come from the best families of
Northern New Jersey, some of the best mcB
in the Institute having passed through tht
school.
The High School is the best feeder the In-
stitute has. sending nearly seventy memkts
into '86, '87, '88 and '89. Among the tweniy-
ninc freshmen included in this number, ik
found about all those at or near the head ol
the class ; of the five freshmen who fell in tht
first general engagement with the enemy (in
December), but one was from the High School,
{a fact surprising to those who know what sort
of students some of the twenty-nine were, in
the school).
Those whom the school sends up are mffit
patriotic and enthusiastic for the Institute,
(so much so that some of them think they
must join in the " must go " cry). Especially
is this seen in athletics ; and no contest occurs
in which Stevens takes part, without the
presence of High School boys, many of whom
thus pay more toward the support of thf
Athletic Association than members of that
association itself regularly do. A far sighted
policy on the part of the captains of ihf
various Institute teams would encourage in
every way the teams in the school. Ninenl
the freshmen players in class foot-ball games,
last fall, were from the school. As it is, the
school receives some special favors ; last spring
the school nine had the use of the criciet
grounds once — on a Saturday morning— thf
St. George's also giving the use of the grounds
once, and last fall three games were played
there by the school eleven, in one ease the
freshman captain very courteously postponing
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
6i
game in order_ to allow the school to
By the way, the Acta Columbiana, Jan.
IS reports that game : —
V. 20. Columbia vs. Stevens ; fool-
core, 16 to 12, in our favor," [jierbatim
itim), thus declaring that it was a coj-
im that was so nearly defeated by the
;" and at the same time claiming the
)f having defeated the Institute,
ever, the school is doing pretty well in
s ; its nine has not been defeated since
■laying a tie game (5-5) with the Insti-
1884, and during the same time no
eleven has defeated the High School
High School.
cise in \!echamcal Drawing —
. : " How do you make a Maltese cross ?"
ent : "Why. pinch his tail."
w equation to the arch, according to a
is that in which the inordinates of the
ire referred to the arch — he! he!
knows the way to the Mathematical
tory ? Has any one seen it yet ? Do
s how to get to it ; we are dying to know.
;time ago, " Preserve " was the man who
St of the work in the mathematics room,
appears to have been superseded by
;ady.
. L. treated '88 to a miniature Hades the
lay. If the genuine article is propor-
/ severe, '88 will be a model of good-
Teafter.
of our worthy professors calls " the
third one-fourth really." Exercise
n Lightning Calculation. Very severe
I of approximation,
! ! Don't speak it out loud. But the
about the Institute make delightful
lades, don't they? Ask some of the
rs of the S. S. S. if they don't.
Soph." recently imparted the startling
lat the solubility of a certain gas was
e same whether the water was " warm
," That's something like " up the hill
n't it ?
The hardest man in college to teach any-
thing is a Sophomore, because he knows just
enough to tickle his vanity without knowing
sufficient to appreciate the brilliant reach of
his stupidity.
It has been determined, after a careful in-
vestigation, that if a man monkeys with a
twenty light-dynamo his funeral will cost just
as much as though he monkeyed with a sixty
light dynamo.
It appears that '88 has set up a free lunch
counter in her class-room. " Strayed-off "
has volunteered to act as bartender, and guar-
antees entire satisfaction as a mixer of Ameri-
can and Dutch drinks.
Prof. L. has allowed that there is one in-
stance in which seats in the "bald headed
row " are not as desirable as those further
back. The instance referred to is the occa-
sion of one of his " explosive " lectures.
The new name for Sal Ammoniac, accord-
ing to one of the " Sophs." is Chili Saltpetre.
Very elegant name, perhaps, but it was hardly
appreciated by the Prof, and the occasion
proved rather of a chilly one for the Soph.
A problem in engineering: When an engine
is "loaded" is it necessarily drunk, and there-
fore incapable of working to the full extent of
its efficiency ? One brass button to the one who
first sends us a correct solution of the problem.
The Seniors have finally completed their
arrangements for commencement. Pach takes
the photographs, and the class supper is to be
furnished by the Brunswick. The honor men
areC. Russell Collins, valedictorian, and Henry
B. E verb art, sal u tat or i an.
The study of Bacon, as pursued by '88, is
indeed a most profitable one. The writings of
that eminent philosopher are filled with the
soundest doctrines, and are well calculated to
be of the greatest benefit to the student who
will carefully consider them.
A few days ago the storm door became dis-
gusted with the lay of the landscape, and got
up and walked down the steps, but, by the
way O. W. J. looked at it, anyone might be
led to believe that he really thought it had
assistance in getting there.
These have been brought forth after several
months of hard labor and thoughtfulness.
There are seventeen more stanzas to each,
which will be furnished on application. Please
remit a niggardly nothing for the poet as he is
a poor widower with four mothers and an aged
child to support.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
The man that recently put " Plainer Vise "
on his drawing, probably meant that his
drawing was much plainer than the drawings
which had been previously made of the same
thing. That is the natural inference. He
may, however, have been too generous with
his titles and put in an extra i.
No doubt the height of ecstatic pleasure is
to sip the delicately flavored Hoboken ice
cream from those high-priced and superior
lead tablespoons used at the S. S. S. socials.
Anyone that gnaws the spoons gets fined five
cents, the price of two dozen. What an ac-
cumulatian of spoons there will be at the end
of the season.
It is vtry gratifying to see the interest being
displayed in lacrosse. The fine days that we
have had, have seen the Campus well filled
with men hard at work with stick and ball to
become proficient in the use of the same-
The outlook for the coming season is intensely
a bright one, and if the interest already dis-
played continues Stevens will be assured of
One of our learned professors recently took
much time and pains in climbing up on a
series of chairs to get at the top board of one
of the sliding boards in the mathematics room.
After risking his neck for some minutes tack-
ing a pa|)er thereon, he got down with an ex-
pression of satisfaction on his face like to that
of a conqueror. What was the matter with
pulling the board down ?
The third German of the S. S. S. was held
in the Institute, on the zjd of March. About
twenty cou])les danced the German, which was
led by Mr. Flack, The managers have every
reason to congratulate themselves on its suc-
cess. The only suggestion which could be
offered is, that the halls in the upper part of
the building be lighted, as some of the wan-
dering ones might get lost.
" Die Umdrehungsgeschwindigkeit der Ver-
gangenheit," is the title of the latest work from
the gifted pen of the " Deacon." It is \ de-
scription of an evening's enjovmcnt, :is i;azed
upon in retrospect the next morning. "' Dt-ak"
rcfL-r-. his head to tri-linear f noidiivitcs, and
Unii i;i\ I s the e(iuations involvi'.I. Jlc proves,
1-011. Iii-ijvely, that the developed head is theo-
n-iit all> 2' times as large the ntit morning.
We notice that '8g is favored with a closet
ftii T squares, but we have b.ii unaMt- to
Titid . as yet, the location of a similar conven-
ience for the other classes. If any one
would kindly show us the way to the same yc
would be greatly obliged. Just at present, '89
has the pleasure of keeping its own T square!
locked up, and of fencing and spanking each
other with those belonging to other classes.
Quite a privilege but rather one-sided.
NEW STRINGS TO OLD HARPS.
TuKK— *¥-*■/«■■/«■■
A> I wu walking down the ilrcet.
W. O. J. I chuced to meet :
Said I (o him, " whst 1* jronr trade ?"
'' I'm a Huuseid maker, lir," he said.
TuKi— /« ffeaven aitve.
In heaven above where all is love.
We'll meet our Facoltf there ;
But down below where all u woe.
The "preps" will sure be there.
According to the principle of the consem- |
tion of energy, a large part of the energy ei- '
pended as the clock runs down goes into heat
which " warms up the house," physicists say,
but any man that can invent a clock so ar-
ranged that it will warm up a man's breakfast
at a certain time in the morning, will confer a
great blessing on suffering humanity. Because,
clocks, you know, are so much more regular
than the average Hibernian fairy enthroned in
the kitchen.
When the balmy summer time comes, the
draughtsman is sorely vexed. The festive
house fly lands on his drawing, when he is
absent to dinner, and eats off the dimension*
from his drawing. Then when the draughts-
man retumeth he sees it not, until he has
forgotten what the dimension was. The nature
of the subsequent remarks depends entirely
upon thecharacter of the draughtsman. Hence,
to study human character, frequent draught-
ing offices in the balmy summer time.
The Hoboken boarding house keepers re-
mind one of the camel thai put his head in
the Arab's tent. They have monopolized the
bulletin boards and all other bill posting
places, and now they are instituting another
monopoly by getting their respective boarders
to sharpen table knives for them in the
shop. Very soon, probably, places at the
grindstone will be at a premium, and so when
you look into the shop and see the whole
class in single file with bowies and various
other varieties of knives, you needn't think
they are playing " Indian " or anything like
that. They'll only be waiting for a chance at
the grindstone.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
63
[unior was describing to his girl a Turk-
ath. He said, "The perspiration is so
sive, that they have to put sticks of wood
;en the fingers so that the perspiration
escape more readily." His mother re-
trated with him for drawing to such an
t upon his imagination, but the girl in-
Dted : " Indeed, Mrs. Blank, it is all true,
e a young lady friend who has been to
, and she told me all about it. Yes, and
have to put pieces of wood between their
00.
)m the appearance of the boards in the
imatics room, it appears as though the
rs spend the greater part of their time
aying " Tit-tat-ter " and " Go-Bang " on
Dards. Yet is quite possible that this is
stance in which appearances are some-
deceitful. It is be hoped so at least,
•wise the course might degenerate. It
I look rather funny, wouldn't it, to see
istitute turning out men with the degree
:. T. T. T. (Master of Tit-tat-ter) or B.
(Bachelor of Go-Bang) ?
e Stevens Institute Glee Club was invited,
le Young Peoples* Association, of the
yterian Church, comer of 6th and Hud-
treets, Hoboken, to sing at an entertain-
given by them on the 30th of March.
rs. Cotiart and Campbell, after consider-
rouble, got eleven of the members to-
r. The singing of the Club was good,
dering that it was the first time they had
this year and the drilling they had re-
d. Every one connected with it may
•roud of the success achieved.
friend of ours set out from a Hudson
• town on a journey abroad. As the
iboat sailed down the river our friend
with the bluff old captain upon the hurri-
deck and watched the friendly handker-
> waving on the shore. The captain
d and said : " Mr. H., you are going
d ; you will probably visit Athens and
)eii and gaze upon the remains of an
civilization. I want you then to think
ur old friend." " Yes, captain," replied
I will think of you among the other
nt ruins."
las been suggested that before the Seniors
the Institute, perhaps it might be well to
them a Household Tinkering course, so
irhen they get married, as they all will, no
:, ere long, they can grapple successfully
:he kitchen stove, fix the pump or thaw
out the water pipe. It is also very valuable
to know how to make picture cord out of
scrap string and to carry a hod of coal up
stairs without spoiling one's pants. Great stress
should also be laid on the art of monkeying
with carpets. Any man that can put down a
carpet without strongly condemning things in
general, at least six times, is one well up in the
art.
It is very .'evident that '89, as a class, are
not followers and believers in the Golden Rule.
They make more trouble for the Sophs, than
perhaps, they are aware of. Besides stealing
thumb tacks regularly, they make it a point to
have a good long game of Mumblety Peg or
some other interesting knife game on top of
the drawing tables. The result is that when a
Soph, uncovers his drawing he finds it pro-
fusely decorated with knife holes, which of
course add much to the general appearance of
the drawing and he feels very much pleased
with the effect, so much so, in fact, that he
sometimes goes and gets a new sheet of paper
so that it will be nicely decorated with ink,
etc., the next time the Freshmen draw.
AN EDITORIAL GROAN.
I am tired of writing ** chestnuts " on the little yaller
tlog,
I am tired of writing grinds on missing linksi
And I am tired of reading letters from the man who
writes "incog.,"
And Tm tired of setting up ** the Board " to drinks.
I am weary of the *' grinding ** at the mathematics
chair,
I am weary of the " laboratory bill,"
And I*m weary of iron castings which are always full of
air,
And Tm weary of the literary mill.
1 am sick of reeling pavements and the alcoholic jokes,
I am sick of hearing talk of colored chalk,
And I'm sick of writing ** stuffings" at th' expense of
other folks.
And I'm sick of hearing Mr. talk.
The other day, Prof. L. said he was going
to show the class some fine specimens of ruby
and sapphire. The class thought that was
pretty nice, so they all put on white ties and
clean paper collars to celebrate the occasion,
for they were all anxious to see how the real
gem compared with the chewing gum prize
jewels, with which they were so familiar.
When the occasion arrived, however, and
Prof. L. brought out about fifteen cents worth
of old rock, the equilibrium of the class was
nearly destroyed. He said that the specimen
was a very fine one and was mined by a friend
of his. But when some rash member of the
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
class followed that remark by saying that he
"wouldn't mind it" a terrible panic ensued,
and if it hadn't been for the fact that each
man was fearful least hts paper-collar should
be damaged, great loss of life might have been
the result. As it was, no one was injured, for
which we are thankful.
The skeleton of the Freshman, who was
foully dealt with last Christmas, has been sent
lo us, Our scientific editor, that is, one of
the seven scientific editors, has partially classi-
fied the creature. We append the result of
fais labor.
"The skeleton in question is that of My-
cetcs Seniculus, or howling monkey! It has
two more dorsal vertebras than man proper,
and two less sacral vertebrae. There were
nineteen cocygeal vertebrae, and it is assumed
that there were originally between twenty-
eight and thirty. The orbital ridges are more
prominent than in man, but the head is nar-
rower. The canine teeth are much more
prominent. The teeth, instead of being set
■n a plane, are curved upward, giving to the
head a peculiarly idiotic expression."
At this point in the analysis one editor bor-
rowed the skull to frighten his landlady with.
Another confiscated the two femurs and went
down to turn out electric push-buttons on the
lathe. Thus the poor Freshman's anatomy
was raffled off before the classification had
been completed. Hereafter, parties sending
specimens for analysis, should inclose a five-
dollar bill, as we cannot he expected to de-
vote our valuable time to investigation, how-
ever scientific, without some rcmun
BRSrFiEERIFJB EjSiFES
A High Speed Engine. — During the last
year or two, says an English pajier, it has
come to be generally understood that large
machines, driven at a comparatively low speed,
are the best for electric lighting purposes; but
the lighting at the Lmcoln's Inn Dining Hall
and Library must be considered as an excep-
tion to this rule. The dynamo here is driven
01 DO less than 13,000 revolutions a minute,
by a Parsons high-speed engine, which justifies
its title by running at the same rale. It re-
quires some mental effort to take a statement
of this kind seriously, yet there is no reason
to regard the Parsons motor as a toy. It was
shown in action at the Inventions Exhibition,
running with unimpaired steadiness from the
beginning to the close of the show. It is, in
reality, a combination of turbines driven by
steam, and consists of two series of parallel
flow turbines to the right and left of a central
stream inlet, the steam exhausting direeily
from the first turbine into the second, from
the second into the third, and so on tbrougli
twenty turbines in each scries. The stem
parts with a portion of its energy in each tui-
bine, and finally escapes at a pressure no!
much above that of the atmosphere. It is
claimed that this is the first motor that has
'ever been made to work at the actual vdodtr
of the steam as it escapes from the boiler.
A firm which makes a specialty of the erec-
tion of shafting states' that its experienct
teaches that the loss of power due to im-
proper conditions in the line of shafting
amounts to fifty per cent, of the engine powo
employed, and that the defects most commonly
found are as follows : Shafting too light for
the duty, crooked shafting, hangers too in
apart, hangers bearing too short, pulleys loo
heavy and not properly balanceid, bankers
which are not adjustable and not self-adjusting
and sometimes filled with spurious babbiii
metal, and improper proportion between two
pulleys connected by the same belt.
The great Northern Railway of Great Brit-
ain, has turned out a couple of new express
engines with single drivers of rather tall
dimensions: Cylinders, tSJ inches diameter
by 26 inches stroke ; diameter of driving
wheels, 7 feet, 7 J inches ; diameter of leading
and trailing wheels, 4 feet, i J inches ; distance
from leading to driving wheel centres, 9 (eet,
9 inches ; distance from driving wheel centre
to trailing wheel centre, 8 feet, i inch; totil
wheel base, 17 feet, 10 inches; framing, ij
inch, steel ; boiler of steel, working pressure,
150 pounds per square inch ; total weight of
engine loaded, 89,040 pounds ; weight on
driving axle, 38,080 pounds. Axle hoses to
leading and trailing wheels are outside, while
those of driving wheels are inside the wheeli
A new method for producing hydrogen gas
— Superheated steam is passed through red-
hot coke in a retort. The result is a mixture
of hydrogen and carbonic oxide, or what ts
known as water gas. These gases are iben
passed on into a second retort, strongly heated
in which a quantity of some refractory sub-
stance, such as fire-brick, is placed. At the
same time jets of steam superheated to liw
point of dissociation are passed in the retort,
the result being a mixture of carbon dioxide
and a double amount of hydrogen. The f-
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
65
side can be absorbed by passing
nilk of lime, and thus pure hydrogen
led and collected in a gas-holder,
of coke is stated to correspond to
)ic {metres of gas, and the cost is
0.015 francs per cubic metre.
^evue Industrielle gives the dates of
duction of railways in the following
; England, September 27, 1825 ;
September 20, 1828; France, October
United States, December 28, 1829 ;
May 5, 1835 ; Germany, December
Cuba, 1837 ; Russia, April 4, 1838 :
ptember, 1839 ; Switzerland, July 15,
unaica, November 21, 1845 ; Spain,
24, 1848 ; Canada, May, 1850 ;
1850.
Uest chimney in the world was fin-
ptember, 1885, by the Mechemich
ining Co. The leading dimensions
Hows : The foundation, in dressed
5onry, is 36 feet square and 11.4 feet
base a cube of 32.8 feet, and the
plinth of the shaft are built of
iln brick. The shaft of circular
radial bricks, is 397.2 feet high, 24.5
de, and 1 1.5 feet inside diameter at the
1 1.5 feet outside, and 9.8 feet inside
at the top. The total height is 441.6
the next number of the Indicator
the season for outdoor sports will be
, it therefore behooves us to make
gestions as seem necessary in the
number in order that, should they
li approval, they may be acted upon
is too late.
as lacrosse is concerned we have
>ffer, for the men likely to participate
ime seem all activity ; appearing on
3US every day, delighting the eye of
itor by the graceful sweeps of their
id their skilful passes and catches of
er sphere. Not so with base-ball,
; with the exception of an occasional
catch between two or three of the students in
one corner of the grounds, nothing at all is
being done ; lacrosse, the new intruder, seems
destined to supplant the famous old American
game, which has heretofore played so im-
portant a part in college athletics, and unless
something is done soon, will (at least at
Stevens) entirely erase that game from our
list of field sports. To allow this would in-
deed be a serious mistake, for whatever may
be the beauties of lacrosse, it cannot equal
base-ball as a scientific game, nor can it ex-
cite the interest or furnish so many examples
of individual skill as the latter, when well
played.
No other game has ever been able to draw
the immense throngs that flock to see a match
between two of our league c}ubs, showing the
hold it has on the affections of the people.
They watch the ball in its flight with a breath-
less interest, and the mighty cheer that fills
the air when their favorite has scored a point
indicates better than anything else the ex-
citement as well as the popularity of the game.
Why, then, should we allow it to decline ?
The captain should pick out his men at once ;
organize before the end of the term, and have
every man on deck at the commencement of
the next. The grounds by that time will be
in good condition. Let a schedule of games be
made out, beginning, not like heretofore, with
the strongest clubs, but with our equals, and
work up gradually, so that by the end of the
season we may have some games worth looking
at ; games that will stir up the dormant in-
terest and once more put the sport at the head
of the list, where it rightfully belongs.
K<.')a^f</
The longest lacrosse throw on record is
397 i ^eet.
An exchange defines a " chestnut " as a man
who has been in college longer than four
years.
The students of Dartmouth, at a meeting
held March 23d, raised $1,500 for the support
of a ball nine.
66
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
If you wish to see a delightful cartoon on
one of our professors, just ask some Cornell
friend to send you a copy of the paper con-
taining it.
D. B. Chamberlain, of Harvard, beat the best
intercollegiate record for putting the 16 pound
shot, of 37 feel 10 inches, by putting it 38 feet
ii\ inches.
The latest thing in the way of a burlesque
on the Mikado was written and performed by
the students of Vassar College. It is known
as the Mathematikado.
At a private theatrical (between the acts).
Maid : " Coffee, sir ? "
He (of the audience): " No, thank you; it
might keep me awake next act." — Ex.
A great effort is being made at Yale to re-
vive the interest in lacrosse. Prominent
lacrosse authorities have expressed the opin-
ion that Yale possesses the best raw material
for a lacrosse team of any college in the
country.
The Northwestern is following in the steps
of some of the great New York dailies — that
of publishing the favorable comments of its
exchanges. Remember, esteemed contempor-
ary, that " the weak, by conceiting themselves
strong, are thereby rendered inactive."
The base-ball season among the colleges
was opened by Princeton and Yale on April
3d, The former playing the Quaker City
team and defeating them by a score of 9 to 5,
and the latter playing the Athletics of Phila-
delphia, which resulted in a victory for the
Athletics by a score of 11 to 3.
The intercollegiate cup, emblematic of the
amateur track championship of the American
colleges, has been won six consecutive times
by Harvard, by Columbia three times and by
Princeton once. The cup is to be competed
for fourteen limes, and if Harvard succeeds
in winning it once more during (he next four
years it becomes the property of the Harvard
Athletic Association.
Probably the most cxciiing boat race ever
towed in England took place on the 3d of
April. It was between the universities of
Oxford and Cambridge. Cambridge won by
half a length. The course was 4^ miles, and
the time 32 min. 39} sec., the longest t
cupied since the contest of 1877. The i
age weight of the Oxford crew
pounds, that of Cambridge 170^ pound
There have been 43 races, of which Oxfw
has won 13 and Cambridge 19, one n
in a tie. The fastest time ever made 6
present course was 19 min. 35 sec ,
bridge, in 1873; Oxfords best 1
sec, in 1869.
We beg to acknowledge the receipt (
following papers : The Delta UpsilOQ <_
terly, the University Herald, the Chronidi
the Electrician, the Concordiensis, the Ts
gum, the Pleiad, the Tech, the W. T. I., tb
Sibyl, College Argus, the Chironian, the Tuft
onian, the Northwestern, the T)e Paui
Monthly, the Williams Fortnight, the Havei
fordian, the College Mercury, the Queen'
College Journal, the Holcad Bowdoin Orienl
the Vassar Miscellany, the Troy Polytechok
Rouge et Noir, the University Review, tin
Monochord, the Pennsylvanian, the '84, tb
Amherst Student, the Swathmore Phoenix^jf
Deacon, the Eclipse, the Willislontao, •«
Pithic, the Lafayette, the Cornell Re%-iev. i
tb
I
An old lady read a paragraph in one O
papers the other day, describing how a |,
stone burst in a saw mill and killed four cneA
She happened to remember that there was 1
small grindstone down in her cellar, lcaniti{
against the wall ; so she went out and go<
an accident insurance policy, and then, sU»
morning her servant, and holding a pie-boat^
in front of her face, so that if the thing «■
ploded her face would not be injured, had th
stone taken out into the road, where twenty
four pails of water were thrown over it, audi
stick was stuck in the hole J)earing a pli^d
marked " Dangerous." She says it is a awj
(he whole house was not blown to pncotfl
ihe thing before this.— IVoett ami fr^i ^m
THE STETES'S TffiyfC ATOH.
iMij:
a i^i :z>3=:i=ta-Tlilzi Ej-a.T?s
S iNSTI'nillllE OF ©BGHNOLOGY.
u CASTLE Kll
. :!n!f r)tustnition&.
-*BQUHD IN WHITE ALUQATOH. PRIGE 80 CENTS'
r-Will il-.- nmiltftl If TIM TldDtP^- !.f! tjri'.i ! o) ;:, .--Tn- -
STEVENS HIGH SCHOO
THE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT
—K,\ -nil —
STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY;
RIVER STREET, bet. 5th and 6th, HOBOKES. K J.
OPENS SEPTFMRF-R 1 h (RRh
a«iuniDBtJflti« lor. Aimi
'POLL COURSES OF STUDY. PREPAK.VILKY TO uliOOU- OF SCili^'CE A:il C01LE'.tT»^
i
JUNIOR OEPARTMENT,
SENIOR DEPARTMENT,
S7S.OO PER ANNUM,
BI60.00 PER ANNUM.
Friu» tuuludip uU tbv •iitdia*.
Tar C&ialocAM tppi? u th< l.tt)mrian of Swrvnt btstltoi^-
THE
^UevefiB J^disalsp.
r Voi.3-
HOBOKEN, N. J., MAY, 1886.
No. 5.
THE ORIGIN OF THE ECHO.
Would you know whence is the echo,
Whence the weird and mocking echo,
Mocking, laughing at the red man ?
'Tb the cry of horrid witches —
Witches domiciled in snake skins
With their homes among the mountains.
Whence they call to passers-by.
lowi, the turtle dove,
Gathered seeds throughout the valley ;
Through the valley caJm and peaceful,
And her little baby slept.
Weary was she with her labor.
Labor tiresome and ne*er ending ;
So she laid her sleeping burden
Under the Tihopi sage-bush
With his sister, fair Ohotcu,
■ With the. summer — ^yellow bird,
Leaving both beneath the sage bush.
Wide she wandered in her searching,
Roved in search of seeds for eating.
Then appeared a fierce old woman,
Tsoavwits, the witch of red men,
Scowled upon the girl and asked her
Whether that was not her brother.
Then said fair Ohotcu, wise one —
She had heard that girls were nothing
In the estimate of witches —
••This is nny own little sister."
Then the Tsoavwits was angry.
Angry with the girl and chid her,
Chang^ her own form into hurror,
Scared the maid and stupiHed her.
Then the witch took up the small boy,
Took him to a distant mountain
To her home in rocky places,
Down upon the ground she laid him,
Grasped him firmly by the right foot,
Stietched the baby's leg and strained it,
Tin a man's leg was not longer
Ifext the left leg stretched she also,
And his right arm and his left arm,
And his body elongated.
He was now a man in stature
But a babe in thought and action ;
.. Titos the witch obtained a husband —
Tsoavwits had long desired one,
But ere this had not succeded.
To !the sage bush, the Tihopi,
Glad returning to Ohotcu,
lowi, the mother, sickened —
SidDCned and turned pale with anguish,
When the lips of her fair daughter
Told her of what just had happened.
Punished she her daughter harshly ;
Forth departed, crying, mourning,
all attempts to comfort
From her friends, her true avengers.
Chief among her friends her brother,
Kwina, eagle, the great traveler.
Journeyed over hill and plain,
Saw the Tsoavwits and Uja —
Uja, sage-cock, youthful husband —
To the Tsoavwits, the cruel one ;
Yet he did not know the sage-cock.
For his nephew was a baby.
And the Uja was a chieftain.
Then said lowi, the mother :
"If that is indeed my baby.
He will recognize my accents,
He will know his mother's voice."
So she went into the mountains,
Took her station in a cedar,
In a high and lofty cedar.
In a tree nut very distant
Sat the eagle, Kwina, traveler,
Gazing at the boy-man, Uja.
Uja knew his mother calling,
Cried, " O, Squaw, I hear my mother."
But the witch laughed in derision ;
Led him oflf to rest in quiet
In the caves within the mountains.
Uja had become a hunter ;
In the art his wife had schooled him,
Schooled him well with bow and arrow.
So a mountain-sheep he slaughtered.
And his wife took out the entrails.
Then within the emptied stomach
Both took refuge, man and woman.
Tsoavwits could not imagine
lowi, the saddened mother,
Looking in the empty stomach
Of a harmless mountain sheep.
Safe within this novel refuge,
Out of sight of all the searchers.
Puzzled by the disappearance,
Lay they many days, till hunger
Pressing sore, o'ercame their caution.
Kwina then, the mighty eagle.
Guessed their hunger, plotted 'gainst them ;
Killed a rabbit, chose a pme tree.
Tall and lofty, stripped the bark off.
In the very topmost branches
Placed the rabbit, dressed and tempting.
Tsoavwits was very hungry
So she tried to climb the pine tree —
Fell back earthward hard and often ;
Still she persevered undaunted.
From his hiding place the eagle
Swooped down on the baby husband,
Bore him back to the Tihopi,
Laid him gently 'neath the sage-bush.
And once more he was a baby.
Far up in the sky went Kwina,
And returning brought a tempest;
Brought a tempest in his anger ;
68
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
Brought the fierce Kabibonokka.
Then the flood came down in torrents.
Torrents roaring in their anger,
Covering up the eagle's footprints —
Footprints Tsoavwits might follow.
On tne trail she found a feather,
Found a feather coarse and grayish.
That it lay there, Kwina knew not ;
That she found it, Kwina knew not.
What cared he, the eagle, Kwina,
That his deed had been discovered ?
Tsoavwits cried out in anger :
** Well I knew the eagle, Kwina !
lowi calls him her brother,
Kwina, warrior and chieftain !
To the rattlesnake; Togoa,
To the father of my mother,
I will turn my vengeful footsteps.
He will give to me protection,
He will gratify my hatred."
From lus mid-day sleep Togoa,
Roused by her approaching footsteps.
Called to her, ** You are not wanted !
Turn away ! You are not welcome ! "
Tlien she begged him for protection,
For protection from the eagle.
To their parleying came Kwina —
Kwina still upon the war-path.
Tsoavwits with fear and trembling
Hunted for a place to hide her,
Then in pity spake Togoa :
" Crawl into my mouth and hide there.
So the Kwina shall not see you."
Opened wide his jaws asunaer ;
And she crawled into his stomach.
Retching seized upon Togoa
Tsoavwits had hurt him sorely ;
She had caused him inward trouble.
Thus he writhed, and squirmed, and struggled ;
Writhed, aud squirmed, and struggled fiercely ;
Till at last his skin grew looser,
And he crawled with ease from out it ;
Tsoavwits, hisgrandchild, leaving —
Leaving in his empty snake-skin.
Kwina, eagle, called her uften,
And she answered him with mocking,
Gave him back his words in mocking,
Till at last he ceased from calling.
41 « * *
To this day in rocky regions.
Hid in snake-skins live the witches,
White men call these old hags *' echoes."
But the red man knows their voices ;
Hears the old hags when they call him,
Call him loudly in derision.
Chic.
« ^ » »
THE NEW FERRY.
On Monday, May 3, the class of *86 began
its last term at Stevens, and upon the same
day another memorable event took place, /. ^.,
the opening of the new Fourteenth Street
Ferry, which was expected to be in running
order nearly a year ago. The Hoboken Land
and Improvement Co. celebrated the day by
offering free travel to all patrons desuing to
avail themselves of such an opportunity. So
a few Stevens men, out for a daily constitu-
tional, sally along towards the new ferry
house to treat themselves to a free sail, to ex-
pand their cramped lungs, and to imbibe a
little of the fresh breeze blowing over the
Hudson from the north. Ever ready to criti-
cize points of construction and taste, the
various opinions from the gigantic intellects
of these few students would doubtless be
worthy of fullest note ; but we can stop in
this short description to give only a few of
the principal criticisms.
Fourteenth Street is a wide, airy street, with
but few buildings. It is newly paved with
rectangular stone pavements. Leading to the
ferry it runs for some distance upon a long
pier which is solid earth-work, filled in b^
tween two wide walls of cross logs and stone.
A walk for passenger use is at the left of the
street as one approaches the ferry ; it is sup-
ported upon piles at its outer edge, and by
the solid pier at the inner edge ; it is con-
structed of three-inch planks spiked to longi-
tudinal timbers. At the outer edge of thb
walk comes the first object of our critidsm,
a six-foot board fence running the entire
length of the pier and completely obscuring
any view of the river, which, with its sails and
steamers, always presents a varying and inter-
esting scene. If it is absolutely necessary to
have a solid board fence to keep the public
from falling over into the Hudson, why
couldn't it at least be a foot or two lower, so
that one would not feel as if shut up in a box
for several hundred feet before entering the
ferry house ? The ticket box for teams is at
the left ot the street instead of at the centre
or at the right, but it is probable that New
York teamsters are so accustomed to foreign
ways in Hoboken that it will come quite
natural to drive to the left instead of the
right. The ferry house next demands our at-
tention. It is large, of tasty design, and
good proportion ; it has two slips, and the
general management and construction is simi-
lar to that at the Barclay and Christopher
Streets ferries. Upon entering is found a
large, airy waiting room, decorated uniquely
and tastily. The designs above the windows
and doors are especially worthy of note. But
Stevens men always look high, and away up
at the top of the building they spy something
of interest to them in the shape of a long
row of large transom windows hinged at the
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
69
top. Beneath these is a long horizontal rod
carrying a crank for each window, to which it
is connected by a connecting rod. At the
^d of the horizontal rod is a segment of a
toothed wheel ; in this works a worm which
^s attached to a vertical rod running to within
easy reach from the floor. The end of this
rod is squared to admit a small crank handle
to be slipped over it ; by means of a few
turns of this crank the windows may easily be
opened to any desired extent, giving good
ventilation.
But a free ride even upon the old James
Rumsey is not to be despised, so a mob of
Hoboken children flock to entertain them-
selves therewith. In they pour through the
gates, all sizes, shapes, conditions and nation-
alities; they run through the cabins in high
glee, and mix indiscriminately with a crowd
of urchins who came from New York on the
last boat for a similar ride. They wait im-
patiently until the boat leaves the slip, then
the breeze freshens, and ofi^ come all their
hats to be held in their hands for safety. The
uncombed hair of the little maidens streams
wild in the wind, but more wildly shriek their
little voices as they cheer every passing ferry
boat with hats waving in the air, while one
little urchin waves his own and one for his
sister, who carries a little babe who is hardly
^^d enough to leave its mother's arms. When
the New York side is reached, the crowd
'y^ll.es off, the young street Arabs giving
^"^^acteristic yells as they arrive on their
na^i^g soil. The ferry house at the New York
^^^^^^inus is situated at the foot of Fourteenth
^^""^et ; it is small, having but one slip, and
cari "not compare with the Hoboken buildings.
.-^^ s we approach Hoboken on the return
^"1^» the current runs swiftly by the ends of
Jj^ Hoboken slips, and it is no wonder that
^"^^>^ were once washed away during the pro-
ce^^ of construction. The pilot brings the
"^^Jt successfully in, although it bumps roughly
^K^-X nst the side of the slip. These slips seem
^^ fee particularly well made, the upright
P'^^ks being set off a considerable distance at
^"^Tii: upper and lower ends from the piles to
^^-ic^h they are attached, allowing them a re-
macx-j^ably good spring at the centre. The
low^f ends of these planks rest upon the edge
^\ Viorizontal planks which prevent them from
*"^ing downward.
. So ends the free ride, and the students who
"^^ in the upper part of the town calculate
^'^^ time possibly to be saved by patronizing
wife new ferry. Everybody leaves the boat
with a feeling of no little satisfaction for hav-
ing had at least one ride at the expense of
the Hoboken Land & Improvement Co. The
flock of children have lost most of their ex-
citement, and run more quietly from the ferry -
house ; while the students, with somewhat
refreshed bodies, wend their way toward the
weary boarding houses, to partake of the ele-
gant hash and rice pudding dessert ; there to
cram their brains with calculus which doesn't
seem to have the least connection with ferries,
but which, in fact, may possibly some day be
of valuable assistance to them in just such
kind of work.
-♦-•-♦►
THE FIRST THERMOMTER.
For a long time philosophers have been in
doubt as to who was the real inventor of the
thermometer. The history of this simple in-
strument is useful as well as interesting, be-
cause it aids us in tracing the histories of
various other instruments with more certainty.
Some industrious physicists (Wohlwill, Ger-
land, etc.) have been making use of the earliest
records, and have at last got the history of the
thermometer very nearly complete. Very
nearly, because there still always remain some
points which cannot be proven but are highly
probable.
Galileo Galilei is now thought to have been
the man who made and used the first ther-
mometer (1593), and this on account : firstly,
of statements made in letters written to
him by his fellow countryman, Sagredo ;
secondly, of those published in a biog-
raphy composed by one of Galileo's pupils ;
last, not least, Castelli's description of the
instrument used by Galileo agrees exactly
with the thermometer kept in a Florence
museum and said to be the original one. This
instrument is an air-thermometer, consisting
of a hollow glass sphere, about two inches in
diameter, blown at the top of a rather thin
tube.
The other end of this tube is immersed in
water, while we heat the inclosed air by hold-
ing our hands around the globe. Consequent-
ly, on cooling, the air contracts and the water
rises into the tube ; the fall or rise of the
water thus indicates that the air has become
heated or cooled.
In the 17th century several other physicists
were spoken of as the inventors of the ther-
mometer, amongst others Otto von Guericke.
The first improvement on Galileo's apparatus
was that instead of using a straight tube, the
70
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
tube was bent into a U-shape and the open
end widened to a small globe to receive the
water. The whole was fixed to a small board,
with a scale to read the position of the water.
Very soon, however, experimenters found out
that both kinds of thermometers were very
poor instruments to measure heat with, be-
cause the expansion or contraction of the air
inside of the globe depends not only upon
the temperature of the air, but also upon the
atmospheric pressure. This objection was
overcome by Jean Rey, who reversed the ap-
paratus of Galileo, filled the globe and part
of the tube with water, and thus changed it
from an air thermometer into a water thermom-
eter. This form of apparatus (afterwards
called the Florentine thermometer) also re-
mained very defective on account of the
quick evaporation of the water, until Ferdi-
nand got the apparently simple idea of closing
the top of the tube. He boiled the water
until all air was driven out and then sealed
the tube by means of a blow-pipe.
It is not known who first substituted colored
alcohol for water, thus enabling experimenters
to measure temperatures below the freezing
point of water. Reaumur mixed the alcohol
with one-fifth volume of water so as to be able
to nieasure all temperatures between the
freezing and boiling points of water. It is
known, however, that Fahrenheit was the one
who made the best mercury thermometers,
pure mercury having the advantageous prop-
erties of freezing at a temperature far below
the freezing point of water and of boiling at a
temperature much higher than either water or
alcohol. Reaumur objected to using mercury
because its co-efficient of expansion is smaller
than that of alcohol ; but the subsequent
forms given to the apparatus also overcame this
difficulty.
« ^ » >
THE SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY AT
BERLIN.
The following description of an institution
that promises to become the best of its kind
in the world will undoubtedly prove of inter-
est to some of the readers of this paper :
There are, in all, five courses pursued — i.
Architecture ; 2. Civil Engineering ; 3. Me-
chanical Engineering and Ship-building; 4.
Chemistry and Metallurgy ; 5. General Sci-
ences. The complete course, in any one of the
departments, embraces eight **semesters" (half
years). The annual register contains thorougli
j)lans of all the studies for the whole course
* in order to give a list of all the lectures in
such a way that every lecture is introduced
into that semester in which it will be heard
with most success." This enables the students
to pick out their studies themselves. The
fifth department, " General Sciences," em-
braces lectures on collateral subjects, as math-
ematics and higher analysis, theory of projec-
tions and descriptive geometry, experimental
and analytical physics, drawing and modeling,
and the modem languages — French, English,
and Italian. It is, in reality, only a branch
of the other courses wherein the men arc
fitted for the various " technical professions."
Besides this, all the students are entitled to hear
lectures on other sciences, as philosophy, his-
tory, literature, political economy, etc., which
are delivered at the Berlin University itself.
There are at present ninety -six instructon
— fifty-five " ordinary and extraordinary pro-
fessors " and forty -one private tutors and as-
sistants— at the technical school alone, besides
eighty-six " controlling officers." Among the
professors there are many names of world-
wide reputation, as Du Bois-Raymond, Wein-
garten, Reuleaux, Vogel, Dobbert, Hauck,
Ende, Rietschel, and others.
In the summer term of 1885 there were,
altogether, 588 matriculate students, of which
eighty-one were foreigners (nine from the
United States); nearly one-half of them be-
longed to the third department — Mechanical
Engineering and Ship-building. Besides these
there were 295 special students, so-called "hos-
pitants," sixty-two of whom were University
men.
Although this attendance appears rather
small when compared with that of the Uni-
versity, still there is not the slightest doubt
as to the increase of the number of students
within the shortest time. A great deal is done
to enable students without means to attend
the school. About forty men received schol-
arships, seventy-two obtained yearly stipends
of 600 marks from public or private funds,
and forty were occasionally assisted with from
150 to 300 marks. The expenses of all in-
spection tours, some of which last for weeks at
a time, are paid for by the government.
The choice of lectures being entirely left to
the student, not the least importance is laid
to his attendance or non-attendance at the
school. All the stress is laid on the examina-
tions, which, of course, must be very thorough.
The oral examinations are reported as special
" terrors." But, still, a redeeming feature is
that the student may apply for any examina-
tion as soon as he is ready to take it. He
may try until he succeeds.
THE STEVENS INDICATOk.
71
lERN AMERICAN PASSENGER
LOCOMOTIVES.
the past few years there has been
rful progress and improvement in ma-
^ in America. Some have attributed
>ult to the International Exhibition of
n which American manufacture received
ilus which in a few years began to make
ivident. However this may be, it is a
tat since the year 1880, American loco-
s have been so improved that we might
call that year a renaissance in loco-
: construction. It will be of interest
to consider, in a general way, the prin-
5comotives that have been built since
ne.
type of locomotive in America in general
• passenger traffic, has been the " Stand-
ight-wheel locomotive, having a leading
heel truck, two pairs of driving wheels,
>t pair being the main drivers. Changes
accepted design at first made their
ance, claiming questionable advantages
le ordinary type. The first innovation
locomotive built for the Bound Brook
n March, 1880, by the Baldwin Loco-
I Works. It was designed for fast pas-
traffic, and had but one pair of driving
; the weight of the fire-box being car-
n a two-wheel truck. Part of this
, however, could, when necessary, be
. upon the drivers by means of a steam
This locomotive made some fast time
short, empty train, but it was never re-
l as a success, and was finally sent to
id, where certain experiments were
vith it. No more engines of that type
ince been built. The next experiment
lat of the " Shaw " four-cylinder loco-
r, which was a " Standard," with two
ers acting upon each main driver. It
ade with the hope of overcoming the
tions of the engine at high speed. This
lilt at the Hinkley Locomotive Works,
IS given a fair trial, but it never demon -
I its superiority and was finally consid-
ered a failure, as in the attempt to overcome
one trouble, many more had been introduced.
The two " Fontaine ** locomotives were also
brought out in 1880, and created considerable
curiosity and some excitement. Much discus-
sion was carried on in regard to the merits of
their construction. The main driving wheels
were elevated, and rested upon the regular
driving wheels, causing them to turn by fric-
tional contact. Trials were made with these
on several lines, but nothing seems to have
been gained by this system of gearing that
could not have been attained by using ordi-
nary driving wheels of a larger size. The two
were finally rebuilt and changed to the " Stand-
ard '* pattern.
These, however, were the theories of "prac-
tical ** men. Meanwhile, men of true theoreti-
cal education had come to the conclusion that
the " Standard " was the most efficient type of
locomotive for passenger service in this coun-
try. The only problem was to increase the
steaming capacity of the engines, by enlarging
the boilers and fireboxes, to increase the size
of cylinders and wheels as far as practicable,
and to perfect the reciprocating parts and
wearing surfaces. In 1881 the Baldwin Loco-
motive Works turned out a set of ten loco-
motives of ** Standard " type, designed by Mr.
Woodcock, of the Central Railroad of New
Jersey, to run the fast passenger trains on the
Bound Brook Line. Notably among these is
No. 169, which has proved to be one of the
swiftest locomotives in the world. This has
18 in. by 24 in. cylinders, with 68 in. driving
wheels, and weighs 45 J tons. After five years
of hard and regular service, it is now to go
into the shop for general repairs, confirming
the truth that a machine built on true scien-
tific principles will work longer, as well as
faster, than those of ordinary construction.
The Pennsylvania Railroad, in June, 1881,
built the first locomotive of " Class K," having
18 in. by 24 in. cylinders, 78 in. wheels, and
weighing 462 tons. These, at first, attracted
a good deal of attention owing to the large
size of their wheels. There are now eighteen
72
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
of these doing good service on the Phila-
delphia express trains on that road. Three
years afterward the "Class P" were built,
having iS| in. by 34 in, cylinders, 68 in.
wheels, and weighing 50 tons. There are now
twenty-two of these running and they show
themselves capable of hauling fast trains of
from ten to twelve cars. The West Shore
Railroad has 100 " Standard " locomotives,
with 18 in, by 24 in. cylinders and 68 jn
wheels, designed by Mr. Howard Fry and
built at the Rogers Locomotive Works. There
are two classes, hard and soft coa! burning,
there being forty of the first class, weighing
48 tons, and sixty of the second, weighing
47I tons. As in the Pennsylvania locomotives
a number of English features have been intro-
duced, making them somewhat of a departure
from the accepted American model of outline.
Being admirably constructed, these West
Shore locomotives have operated with entire
satisfaction fast trains of five or six cars and
heavy trains of twelve passenger cars. The
Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, to oper-
ate their section of the Bound Brtiok line,
built some locomotives, "Class D 33," with
^P the Wooten fire-box, which rests on top of the
^ frames over the driving-wheels, and is very
wide, having an area of 76 sq. ft. These lo-
comotives have 21 in. by 32 in. cylinders, 68
in, driving-wheels, and weigh 48 tons. The
cab is placed forward, over the main driving-
wheels ; the main principles of the " Standard "
type are retained, however. They have been
run at very high speeds with trains of six
. cars. Last year, 1885, the four heaviest pas-
senger locomotives in the world, "Class D 44,"
were constructed by this road. These were
built with the Wooten fire-box, and have 21 in.
by az in, cylinders and 68 in. wheels. They
weigh 54 tons. No definite results have yet
been obtained from these immense locomotives,
but heavy passenger trains of fourteen cars
have been hauled with ease at considerable
speed.
In noting, therefore, the improvements in
modern locomotive construction, we find that
the average " Standard " passenger locomotive
of ten years ago, which had 17 in. by 22 in, cyl-
inders, 60 in. wheels, with 130 lbs, boiler pres-
sure and weighing 35 tons, has changed now
to one having 18 in. by 24 in. cylinders, 68 in.
wheels, with 140 lbs. boiler pressure, and
weighing 45 tons. Injectors for feeding the
boilers have taken the place of the pumps.
Steam reversing levers have found some favor,
aj)d the Weslinghouse air-brakes have found
universal adoption. The Richardson -.A lien
balanced slide-valve is coming more and
more into general use. The huge " diamond "
smoke-stack has been done away with, and the
straight stack has taken its place, while the
use of the exiended smoke box is becoming
general as the best spark arrester. But BOl
only have we improved in the efficiency of
our locomotives, but their appearance hai
greatly changed for the b-jtter. The old-fash-
ioned brass trimmings, fancy brackets disposed
in various places, the gaudy paint, have all
disappeared. A simplicity and uniformity of
design is shown, and the main beauty of ihi;
locomotive is found in the shape of the ma-
chine itself. Albitan.
ELEMENTARY BLOW-PIPE ANALYSIS.
VII.
The synopsis contained in this article, the
last one of the series, has been prepared to
present a general view of the subject in a con-
densed form ; it is also intended to give a
convenient working table for laboratory use :
and to facilitate the latter, the order of the
elements as given in the first vertical column
has been made to coincide with the order as
generally given in books on wet analysis, some
rarer elements and a few reactions for acids
having been added.
At the top of the remaining vertical col-
umns the numbers of the groups and the
principal apparatus or reactions are given, so
that any reaction in any vertical column can
readily be found, explained more definilety
by referring to the corresponding article or
group.
By comparison it will be found that for
each element there is some test in the dry
way by means of which it can be detected.
Of course it must not be expected that an
unknown element can always be unmistakably
determined by a beginner, simply by compar-
ing the observed reaction with the results given
in the table ; but some patience and practice
will be necessary to master the subject. If
there should be any doubt about a certain re-
action, repeal it, or make a wet test, or, best
and (juickest of all, take the supposed ele-
ment, make a dry test and observe wheth«
the same reaction occurs.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
73
ill be understood that blow-pipe analy-
i never take the place of wet analysis,
always will be a very valuable help to
tter, as it can readily determine the
contents of a test substance. If the
nee should contain more than four or
iments, or only minute traces of some
Its, a complete examination can then
e made in the wet way. Nevertheless,
time will still be saved, as all the ele-
which have been determined in the dry
eed not be considered when the wet
is is made. The best practical appli-
of blow-pipe analysis is made by the
urgist and assayer in the preliminary
examination of ores and minerals in which
but one or two useful minerals are sought. It
is also indispensable to the successful miner-
alogist.
The literature on the subject is quite ex-
tensive, a number of separate volumes having
been published, and almost every work on
mineralogy contains a chapter on blow-pipe
analysis, with special reference to minerals.
If these small efforts have created an inter-
est in any of my readers for this beautiful
and neat method of analysis, or if they have
been of any assistance in the chemical course
at the Institute, my time on them has been
well spent. O. Pf.
I.
H.
HI.
IV.
V.
VI.
Sublim...
UOD
Tube.
0<ida-
tion
Tube.
Flame
Color.
Incru:i-
tation.
Beads.
Borax. Phosph. Salt.
Soda on Charcoal
Rbmakks.
O. F.
R.F.
O. F.
R.F.
MeuUic (Hobule
Color 1 TenacHy
Gray. .
• • • . > • •
Piiik. . . .
White..
Mall ...
1 V. White coat beneath
Gray
1 Cover with dry soda.
IV WithS+KI yellow.
Ill Cu.Cl Blue.
Blue...
Green . .
White...
• • ■
Blue. . . .
Gray...
Red....
Yellow.
White.
Mall...
Mall...
Brittle..
Blue Cu. ...
Green . .
Yellow.
Red
Brown
White..
IV. With S+KI brick red.
Whirc'
Cry>t.
White..
• • • • ■ • •
Paic
Blue
Blue. . . .
HI 'Ck.
1
I. A.n, Sg red fumes. Odor very volatfle
IV. Vol
Oi^.ked
White..
1
White. .
White..
Yellow.
Brittle..
Mall...
.Mall . .
White..
IV. With Co{NO,>, bluish-green.
• • ' • •/ •
Yellow. Green. .
Yellow.. Green..
YeMow..
Green . .
Snixky.
Green . .
With KNo, on plat foQ yeUow.
With Co(No.). blue.
With KNo, on plat foil green.
IV, Invol^ with Co(No,), yellow, green.
• • ■ • ■ •
White
Red
Red
B.ue
Brown
Violet
Blue....
Ni
Blue —
Red ....
Blue... .
Yellow.
Vrllo*r
Green
Purple..
Ba O.CaO.SrO.LiO, turn red Utmusblue.
Orange .
Carmmc
With Co(No,) gray.
With Co<NOa), faint pmk.
Violet . .
Yellow.
Oilor
Odor...
Faint
III. Red litmus turned blue.
11. Blue litmus turned red.
I. In cold part of tube.
Yellow..
So.Odr.
Green
Drops
HaO.
Green'. .
1
* * • • ■ a
Livid
Blue.
_ _ .
1
1
1
St. Sk .-leton
1
Draw s into Chrcl.
...1
VI. BUckera Ag.
Blacken
.•«•••■•
1
' i
;w element has been discovered by Prof.
nkler at Freiberg, Saxony, in a new
il, argyrodite, recently found in the
elsfuerst mine at Freiberg. The min-
mtains 73-75 per cent, of silver, 17-18
?nt. of sulphur, 21 per cent, of mer-
md 6-7 per cent of the new element.
called Germaniu'm by its discoverer. The
physical properties of the new element
consist in a gray color similar to that of
arsenic. It has a medium lustre, volatilizes
at a cherry red and is heavier than antimony.
Its atomic weight is supposed to be between
those of antimony and bismuth. — Extract
from Dresdner Anzeiger^ Feb, 2<?, 1886,
74
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
PVBUSHBD ON THR
16tti OF EACH MONTH. DURING THE COLLEGE YEAR,
BY THB
INDICATOR PUBLISHING COMPANY,
^teVeii0 In^titafee of Tecjnologg.
TERMS :— $1.80 p«r Year, In Advance. Single Copy, 20 Cents.
IMmd of imJttn Pmi flflct m Stnmd Clan MaUtr.
Extra copies can be obtained at Luthin^s book store,
Hoboken^ N,J.
Subscribers will please immediately notify us of any
change in their addresses or failure to receive the paper
regularly.
The writers full name^ as well as his NOM DB PLUME,
must accompany the article ^ as assurance of good faith
and reliability ; but it will not be published^ unless desired.
Exchanges^ contributions ^ subscriptions^ advertisements
and all other communications by mail^ should be addressed
to The Stevens Indicator, Stevens Institute, Noboken,
Litters for publication should be written legibly in ink^
upon one side of the paper; unless too long^ they ttdll be
inserted as written.
The editors do not hold themselves responsible for opin*
tons expressed in literary articles or communications.
IN our last issue appeared a communication,
signed **High School," which received
our careful attention. We feel compelled to
say that the writer treated the subject from an
impartial standpoint, and, recognizing this, we
admit that many slurs at the " Preps." have
crept into our columns. While it is readily
admitted on all sides that they are at times a
nuisance, the many good deeds they have
done on behalf of the college, as narrated by
their champion, deserve recognition.
IN a recent issue of the Scientific American
Supplement appeared our article on " The
Youth of Isaac Newton." In a still more recent
issue of the Scientific American we found two
smaller articles taken from our April number,
but placed in reverse order. We take no ex-
ception to the latter paper, because it is cus-
tomary to copy short ** notes " without credit-
ing the papers in which they originally ap-
peared. We do, however, consider the insertion
of our article on Isaac Newton nothing less
than plagiarism. To be sure the Supplement
lays some sort of claim to beiftg an eclectic
periodical. This, however, does not relieve
it of the obligation, imposed by even the
scantiest courtesy, to credit the paper from
which their articles are clipped. We would
be ready to acknowledge the honor shown us
by our esteemed contemporary in thus clip-
ping from our obscure sheet, were we not
painfully impelled to believe that it was purely
in an endeavor to " fill up " that " The Youth
of Isaac Newton " appeared in another sheet
as " Isaac Newton." At the moment of going
to press we notice that the Supplement has
again drawn upon our columns ; this time
giving us credit. There being no time to
change the above editorial, we will let it stand
as a protest against past actions. We are now
fully convinced that the Supplement intends to
honor us, not to steal from us.
-♦-♦■
TT7HE action taken by a certain instructor
1 in the last examination is either very just,
or very uncomplimentary to the Sophomore
class, according to the standpoint from which
we consider it. If the gentleman in question
was prompted by a sense of justice in taking
a seat in the rear of the room, so that those
whose names had not fallen in pleasant places
in the alphabetical list might have the same
advantages for cribbing that those in the rear
had when the desk was occupied, we give him
credit for an amount of fairness rarely equaled
in our American colleges. If, on the other
hand, he considered a rear seat the most ad-
vantageous one for the purpose of spying out
the dishonest students, he casts a slur upon
the reputation, not only of the class, but of the
college. For, the natural inference is that he,
being a graduate of the college, has seen dur-
ing his four years' course numerous acts of
dishonesty among his associates. This poor
estimate of the character of the class of '^4
we instantly repudiate. There is only one
inference left.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
75
partment of mathematics has become
the originality displayed in its con-
ng the present collegiate year. Per-
, even probably, this departure from
;tomed order of things may be ex-
i follows : Our professors, as a rule,
a man a gentleman until he proves
knave. The originality of which we
ing consists in considering a man a
til he has given repeated evidence of
a gentleman.
< # » »
:^9r6fiiiieR 6mr8S.
lations have come and gone, and the
conditioned student has rested his
i given himself over to the material
of life. And even now he returns to
I a happy countenance, for his purse
and sheer loafing is uncongenial to
th the many promises made to his
n his head, he is bracing up for four
re study. Remember, only four weeks!
: work harder than ever!
vent of the " cherub " has dispelled
1 hanging over the classic features
J. The " cherub " may require
:ription. He is of medium height,
axon curls form a fitting frame for
; face. His pale blue eyes turn lan-
»on you when you address him, but
imes he is gazing off into the misty
the unknown. It would be almost
us to say that it (the cherub) is ab-
led ; his actions make that apparent,
ippend one example:
ng since it became necessary in the
f human events to refill the water-
D. W. J. called together his staff and
the matter. It resulted in the
" being detailed for the work. This
under the most approved economic
5. The bucket standing beneath the
.s emptied into the cooler (!). Then
J bucket was employed to carry water
hydrant to the required spot. We
it to sample the contents of the cool-
other fellow did. Poor little " cher-
ow we pity him when the other fel-
les him !
To the Editors of the Indicator :
Understanding that up to the present time
your appeal to the Alumni for support has re-
ceived no answer, and since it seems that they
have no suggestions to offer, allow me, as a
student and member of the I. P. Co., to offer
this suggestion :
Let a committee be appointed by the com-
pany to meet the Executive Committee of the
Alumni. Give this committee full power to act.
In this way, perhaps, the Alumni may be
roused from their indifference and urged into
some sort of action.
A Prospective Alumnus.
-•-#-
To the Editors of the Indicator :
It seems to me that arbitration between the
college and the Alumni will not work. If the
publishers of the Indicator wish us to sup-
port them they must abandon the stock com-
pany scheme and go back to the old method
of electing editors. I, for one, do not con-
sider the Indicator a paper representing the
college. If the classes are allowed to do the
electing they will then be represented, and
the paper will receive both financial and
literary support from the Alumni.
Justice.
«■♦ »»
To the Editors of the Indicator :
I like your plan of arbitration as suggested
in the Indicator for April. It is a pity that
the Alumni do not support such a worthy col-
lege enterprise as the Indicator, and yet there
is cause for the present difference of opinion.
The stockholders in the first instance were
elected by the college — or, rather, appointed
by the chairman of the college meeting. At
the present time who elects new stockholders ?
The company. In other words, the men in
the company have the right, if they so choose
to exercise it, to elect a// the members from
one or perhaps two classes, leaving the others
in the cold. Is this right ?
In justice to the company I admit that the
stock company plan may have, at the time,
saved the paper from ruin ; yet, now that the
financial condition of the Indicator is sound,
it might, perhaps, be well so to modify the
Constitution of the company as to satisfy the
views of the Executive Committee of the
Alumni, without in any way hindering the
literary advancement of the paper.
Conservative.
THE STEVEMS INDICATOk.
Good-bye George — Ta ta !
Glad to see you sober enough to be around
so soon lifter vacation.
heri
The Spring has come, the flowers are
'. " Whoa, Emma ! "
Matthew supports a new stiff hat. O. W. J,
will bi; parading around in a dress suit next.
The grand systematic bounce from Math,
has begun again. Whatchergivenus. B. waxeth
bold.
" Who struck Billy Patterson ? " The " yal-
Icr dog" I guess. Billy probably struck him
back.
Lacrosse is booming, but the season isn't
fully opened yet. No one has had his nose
broken.
Owing to the illness of Mrs. Lewis, Dr. and
Mrs. Leeds' reception to the senior class was
postponed indefinitely.
Mike, the coal man, won't come around the
Institute any more because he's afraid some
one will take him for a Freshman.
Come one, come all
Both great and small
To Kegelbelm's and take a " ball."
Not at our expense, though, Dutch.
The man who stole thai three hundred dol-
lar zinc watch from Christian had better give
it up. Christian has the " pug hound " on his
track.
Isn't it too bad to see that reckless, naughty,
look beginning to steal over the faces of the
innocent little Freshmen ? " 'Tis true, 'tis
pity, and pity 'tis 'tis true."
An entrance requirement should be a thesis.
To be compelled to compile, originate, buy
or purloin a thesis third term, senior year, is
the hardest tug of the whole course.
The present term is a short one and the
chances are that the general tendency will be
to let things slide. Hut don't do it, boys,
don't do it. " A miss is as good as a mile."
Where, oh where, is the Stevens Rowing
Club? Challenges are arriving and lying
around loose, but they fftil to find a claimant.
Gel out the shad boats, boys, and turn inside
out for a change.
History lells us that Shakespeare's father
was an alderman, but we think that there is
some mistake somewhere, because history also
lells us that he was very respectable, and the
two statements don't agree at all.
The industrial exhibition held at the insti-
tute proved to be a very interesting one.
Some of the work on exhibition displayed a
skill equal to that of a first-class workman,
and fine productions were to be seen in every
branch.
Nowadays, the average man about the col-
lege don't think he is performing his whole
duty unless he pulls the new fire hose ofif the
wall and fills it up with water. O. W. J. has
got a great, big cast-iron ax that he is sharp-
ening up (or those men.
For "private tips "on the labor question,
the distinctions between the terms ' tie up,"
"lockout," "boycott" and the influence of
two-ply trousers on the eight-hour system, you
may rely on the senator from Washington as
being way up beyond his years on those
topics.
Isn't it delightful to look upon the campus
and watch the infantile " Prep." turn a hand-
spring and break his rope suspenders? If
the " Prep." was less innocent he might paint
the atmosphere red, but he don't know the
wicked ways of the world yet. Wait until he
gets to be a Freshman.
We did not know that we had a memberof
the pugilistic fraternity among us, but it seems
that one of our worthy professors knocked the
magnetism out ofa bar of iron in three rounds,
(]uile recently. We saw hira do it, or else we
wouldn't have believed it at all. Strange hov
things will happen, isn't it ?
An incident which strengthens the theory of
the weakness of human nature transpired /«J
than a year ago, right here among us.
Prof, to class : " In closing, I would suggesi
greater care in writing. I find a great many
f;rammalicai errors in your papers. That will
da. Take the three first chapters for to-m*"-
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
11
Burdette has concluded that " The emi-
cientist who discovered that heat is only
le of motion, did it by sitting on a hot
n the dark. The motion he discovered
motion to adjourn, carried by a rising
It would be well for the Seniors to
m this fact in theses which touch upon
bject.
le in Freshman class. Roll call :
.: A-mo-r ! (little pause) Beers ! Mr.
t wakes up and answers to his name.
B. answers also. Prof, calls Beers
Mr. B. answers again. Some one
idibly in the back of the room : " That
two beers for him. Keep it up and
n't have a recitation."
H. B's watch believes in giving plenty
e for examinations, if he don't. When
>t Calculus examination was held, the
very kindly stopped about half-past
and gave the students about an hour
half more than they were intended to
3ut not a bit more than they ought to
ad. Hurray for the watch !
gie Boo Booh, the Burmese missionary
Doken, has given up the field and opened
n on Hudson Street. Three Chinamen
the tin sign down last week and got
d on the spot, but when a Dutch under-
kicked Yuggie Boo, as missionary, all
le Elysian Fields in hopes of getting a
le " cops " had not a word to say.
tcher loife, they hadn't.
le : Stevens High School.
out thirty Preps, standing together. One
has an apple. Cuts the apple up into
parts and distributes them.)
►. : " Why is this apple like the flowers
hur ? "
nd intellectual " sneak " by the crowd
0 result.)
K : Well,because its very finely divided,
rible panic and great loss of life. Prep,
nd volatilized gore. Red music and
re.)
PEACHBLOW !
nger when thy friend spins thee a yam,
1 from the dust heaps of the Long Ago,
llished though it be with wrinkled jokes
first saw light what time the ancient sage
iselah spun tops and played at " mibs,"
)eit told thee for original,
;otten off with all the conscious pride
thorship — no longer, I repeat,
thou shout •' Chestnuts ! " at the guilty wretch,
Nor murmur ** Swmes ! " in his enchanted ear,
Lest he should chiae fheete Uie use of these
Which indicate antiquity themselres,
In their own toothless second childishness,
But with a calm and quiet dignity,
Thou shalt say *' Peachblow ! ! ! " and the offending
one
Will seek out for' himself some little hole,
Crawl in, and there expire, and be no more !
It is rumored that the fashionable plaid paper
seen and used so much around the Institute late-
ly is going to undergo a change in price, so as
to come within the reach of the poorer classes.
When the spondulix received approximates to
the amount that was paid for the plates, then
the microscopic checker boards will be sold
by single sheets, if desired, and probably at a
low price. Nothing like getting both feet
planted, is there? The above is on good
authority. Three hens, a sparrow, and the
south wind told us about it.
Some of the Sophs' examination papers in
" descriptive " are profusely decorated with
various witty paragraphs from the pen of the
professor who corrected them. Below is a
specimen :
" The line through the vertex of a cone can
be called tangent to the cone only by special
act of Congress^ and it satisfies equally well the
condition of the line piercing the cone." And
as another example : **This is a very curious
expression and its intention obscure, " The
student tried to supply his want of knowl-
edge by what is commonly known as " gas ; "
but the scheme failed to work in this case.
These are but two cases. There are myriads
more, and all equally pithy. We refer you to
the Sophs, for an investigation of the same.
This is the time* when the lazy Freshman
taketh to himself great vileness and bethink-
eth himself how he shall bulldoze the elder.
So he goeth straightway to the elder and saith
with face like unto brass : " Behold, I have
taken much marks to myself, but so likewise
hath another. We are a tie for first place in
the class. So then must I go to another exam-
ination to burst asunder the tie. Now, seest
thou the reason why I will take to myself a
private tutor ? " Then the elder smiles a
Jumbo smile and grateth his ears together at
the back of his head, and kicketh his tremen-
dous feet high in the air. " Go then, my son,"
he saith, " and take to thyself a private tutor."
And the son goeth forth and just manageth to
pass ofif his ^^ conditions " and no more. (Look
in the June number for the rest.)
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
OUR SORROW.
WhKl makes our halls so lonely ?
Whnl rallkes us brcalhc a sigh ?
'Tis nul because we've only
One more exam, to try.
'Tit not because we flunljcd last teim.
Nor will we flunk the next ;
'Tis not because diicontenl's germ
Has all out bosoms vexed.
Our Profs. »re all we could expect.
Our tasks are not too bard ;
To our boarding house we can't object
Because the butter's lard.
Whence then this awtul sorrow ?
Whence thia aching pain ?
It may leave us on the morrow.
But 'twill return agatD.
The "Preps." are getting up a play. The
show cards are out. Home made. Look at
KUMM TO CE US
IN THE GRAIT PLAY, BV JAY COUtD, KALLED
MEAIRGAGWOGGEN.
THE EARTH OR WATT DU VER WARNT,
Tickuts Wun DoUer.
Dorgs And Menn Withoiite Rollers Not
Erloud.
KUMM TO CE US.
Those " Preps." ought to be looked after.
The death rate in Hoboken is .ilroady largp
enough without running it up in that way.
Mayor Timken ought lo come up and step
on a couple of hundred " Preps." and chaw
things up a little.
Hurray for '88 ! The bar still flourishes,
and the class are contemplating the building
of a gutter and the erection of a lamp-post.
The gutter is for the convenience of "dead
drunks" and the post is for the accommoda-
tion of "lamp-post drunks." The warm
weather will probably necessitate the election
of another bar-tender. The deacon is suggest-
ed, as he has the reputation of being able to
mix ali those kinds of " medicines " that dea-
cons take in the drug store, which are much
rehshed by many young men outside of the
brotherhood. The gutter and lamp-post idea is
a veiy good one, as it obviates the necessity of
going into the street for those indispensable
factors of a good old-fashioned drunk and
does away with the danger of arrest. The
only :hing that stands in the way of its cotn-
picle success is the fear that the gutter can
not be made large enough to accommodate
every one who wishes to occupy iL
THE "BOLT."
The Bolt for i886 is certainly a most cred-
itable production. Feeling dissatisfied with
the showing made last year the new Board,
with doubled numbers, set to work on the
torgings for the present issue. The wisdom
of having eight editors instead of four is ap-
parent upon every page. However, we leave
the book to win its own way into the hearts
of our friends.
There are several special features, however,
worthy of our criticism, which shall be in a
marked degree favorable. The indo-print of
the Class of '86 is an improvement on the orig-
inal photograph, the light on the faces being
more in contrast with the background. The
editorial is remarkably well written, and care-
fully presents the ideas and aims of the Board.
"Ye Loved Ones " strikes the right chord in
the heart of every student, while the "Glee
Club " brings up associations which reconcile
us to the life of study which we have under-
taken. The dedicarion " To "86, '87, '88, "89"
is very neat, and will probably please all Fiave
'89. We are disappointed in the picture of
the foot-ball team. It had much better have
been left out entirely.
But the most interesting feature is the in-
stantaneous photograph of the Class Day
exercises at Castle Point in June, 1885. WTiile
Mr. Williams was delivering the opening aii-
dress a photographer, stationed on the gallen.'
of the Stevens mansion, obtained the vie*'
which ha.s been worked up into an indo-piin'-
Although the view is rather small, ceriain
well known individuals are easily recognizable,
and we feel assured that a careful use of th^
maij.iifying glass would result in the idenllfi-
cat on of almost all the college men who
honored tlie occasion with their presence.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
79
5R6rRBBRri?6 RSSPES
resent the deepest well in the world is
lewood, Pa., owned by Mr. Geo. West-
se, Jr. In this well everything found
nature of gas or water at a depth of
eet was cased off as unimportant, and
isent depth is 6,000 feet below the sur-
hich makes this the deepest well in the
Since it would necessarily have to be
prolific gas vein to justify such exten-
ring, it is a difficult matter to conject-
r object that prompted such a work, un-
3e purely to satisfy curiosity.
re is in Washington Co , Pa., a well
to a depth of 4,000 feet, and the only
so far as known, which approach the
reached by Mr. Westinghouse, are an
[1 well in France, in which a depth of
:'eet was reached, and the well now be-
ik at Schladebach by the German Gov-
it which at the last accounts had reached
\i of 4,565 feet.
durability of steel rails is discussed by
ebb, of the London and Northwestern
y, who states that, according to his
tion, 1,400 pounds of steel disappear
lour from the track of that company*s
,780 miles in length. At first glance
jms a surprising statement, but it is
10 ton each hour, or 16.8 tons a day, or
let tons each year, for a line of 1,780
having an exceptionally heavy traffic,
^th the railways of this country are 71.3
hat of the London and Northwestern,
the same rate of destruction by wear,
antity of steel rails required for replace-
n all the roads of this country would
y about 438,000 net tons. The con-
on of rails in 1883 in this country was
1,400,000 tons, of which 6,500 miles of
ad required perhaps 650,000 tons, leav-
>,ooo tons for replacements both of iron
eel. It may be inferred that the des-
n of rails by wear on the London and
vestem is not relatively so great as it
J on many roads in this country. — Iron
Manufacturers' Gazette says : " Wires
ars are now produced direct from fluid
>y pressing it out through dies in a man-
nilar to the production of lead pipes
iad. An iron vessel, lined with refrac-
aterial, is provided with a man-hole and
a cover at the top, and securely closed. At
the bottom, opposite the man-hole, there is a
cast iron outlet pipe, through which passes a
steel tube with water circulating round it ex-
actly like a ' tuyere,' by which the steel pipe
or die can be cooled. The inner end of the
steel tube is lined with fire-clay, where the
very hot fluid steel meets it. The tube is
plugged up by a steel stopper, and the liquid
steel is filled into the vessel with liquid carbon
dioxide above it. The scopper being with-
drawn, the liquid steel is forced out by pres-
sure of the carbon dioxide in a red-hot rod or
wire, which goes from the vessel into the roll-
ing mill while still hot, and is there finished
off. We may also add that steel is now pro-
duced direct from the ore by a new process
of a French engineer. The ore in a powdered
condition is submitted to the action of car-
bonic oxide gas at a high temperature in a
cupola or blast furnace, where it is reduced
by the incandescent gas to pure iron or steel."
The apparatus for registering the speed of
trains, in use on the German railroads, has
been improved by the famous firm of Siemens
& Halske. The position of the train at any
point on the track is registered by means of
an apparatus consisting of two upright vessels
containing quicksilver and communicating
with each other, one of which is exposed to
pressure on the rail, which causes the mercury
to fall in it and rise in the other vessel until
it reaches a wire and closes a circuit, which
causes a small knife in the station to cut a
square-cornered hole in the strip of paper
which travels at an uniform speed, so that the
time where any point on it passed the knife is
known. The above firm have delivered 1,505
of the track apparatus, and 318 of the station
apparatus.
The steamship "Buffalo," of the Wilson
Line, plying between New York and Hull, is
the largest carrier in the Atlantic service.
She was built at Jarrow, near Glasgow,
by the Palmer Company. Her length is
425 feet between perpendiculars ; breadth
moulded 52 feet; depth of hold, 35 feet 9 in-
ches; depth of hold to upper deck, 39 feet
II inches; height between decks, 7 feet 11
inches. She has four decks, the two upper
being of extra strong steel, a projecting keel,
straight stem and an elliptical stern.
She is classed at Lloyd's roo Ai, special
survey, four decks steel, such parts are of iron
as allowed by classing and survey rules of
Lloyd's. She requires Lloyd's special survey
certificate, the M. C. Builder's certificate, the
Board of Trade passenger and the Suez Canal
certificate.
Her gross tonnage is 5,500 tons; nel, 1,960
tons, and she will carry 7,000 tons dead
weight upon a moderate draft.
Her engines, also by the Palmer Company,
are of the triple expansion type, with' cylin-
ders 33-inch, 54-inch and 86-inch diameter,
and 60-inch stroke, steam is supplied by four
(4) boilers, two (3) single and two (2) double
enders, having eighteen (18) furnaces, fitted
with the Fox pattern corrugated flue. During
her last passage the indicator showed 5,003
horse-power, at the same lime she was making
55.5 revolutions per minute, and 14 knots per
hour, and yet she consumed only an average
of 43 tons of coal per day.
Steam is admitted into the high-pressure
cylinder at boiler pressure, 160 lbs. per square
inch, from thence it passes into the interme-
diate cylinder at 80 lbs. per square inch, and
when admitted into the third cylinder it has a
pressure varying from }4 to i lb. per square
inch. The vacuum in this cylinder averages
27 inches of mercury. The consumption of
coal is 1.5 lb. per horse-power per hour.
The vessel is fitted with eight special large
winches, having two expansion engines, each of
the tandem type, the low-pressure cylinder be-
ing between the high-pressure cylinder and the
crosshead ; these are also worked at the above
boiler pressure and have special condenser
and pump.
She has four masts, square-rigged on the
fore and main masts; long poop and bridge
combined extending 54 feel. She is divided by
I3 bulkheads of steel and is fitted with ccUilar
bottom for water ballast all fore and aft. The
main deck is fitted to carry 600 head of cattle.
Great care has been taken in the numerous
subdivisions of the various holds to provide
against the possibility of the cargo shifting,
which insures the success of the vessel as a
grain carrier. Handsome and commodious
accommodations are provided for 35 first-class
passengers in a large deck-house at the for-
ward end of the poop amidships. The rud-
der frames, of solid crucible cast steel, in two
parts, have tapered pintles, brass liners, lig-
num vita bushing and two rudder stops.
She is fined with direct steam windlass
and all the latest improvements, combined
hand and steam steering gear amid.-ihip^i, also
screw-gear in the after wheel-house, wher,.- the
quadrant is fitted with an efficient and strong
gripping gear for holding the tiller when di^
connecting from steam to hand gear. The
vessel is, moreover, lighted throughout with
the Swan incandescent lamp, the masthead
and side lights being also electric.
PERSSRPUS.
James M, Cremer, formerly with thtf Cum-
mer Engine Co., is Mechanical Engineer ai
the Hydraulic Works, Brooklyn. N. Y..
'77-
Mauricc I. Coster is on a visit lo Ae States
and has lately r.;visited his A/ma ^^iUr.
'79-
Wm. W. Dashiell is Secretary and Superin-
tendent of the Buvonne and Greenville Gas
Light Co., Bergen Point, N. J.
'80.
Theo. A, Eliott has severed his connection
with the Noye Manufacturing Co. and maybe
addressed at 379 Pennsylvania Street, Buffalo,
N. Y,
■84-
john A Bensel is Assistant Engineer of the
Maintenance of Way Department, Pennsyl-
vania R. R., Jersey City, N. J. '
■84.
Lafayette D. Carroll is at the Jefferion
Pressed Brick Works, Birmingham, Ala.
■85.
W. Harvie Wade is now with H. R. Wotlt-
ington Hydraulic Works, Brooklyn, N. V.
■86.
Otto Pfordte has accepted a position as .
draughtsman and designer with the Jonson I
Foundry and Machine Co., New York, N. V.
During vacation it was rather difficull W
Tind enough men in town to make out a nins-
On Saturday, April 34,the lollowing nine played
THE STEVENS INDICA TOR.
. N. V, : Aidridge, c; Ducommun, p.;
;ham, r b,; Sevenoak, a b.; Dnimmond,
Morrison, s. s.; Sheldon, r. f.; H. Mac-
, c. f. ; Cotiart, I. f.
ore by innings :
;vens 40020100 7
C. N. Y 3OO0I0000 — 3
;vens making 7 base-hits, 3 errors, no
pitches, no passed balls.
I Thursday, April 29, the nine was to go
'atsessing, according to agreement made
eason. At the last moment, two decided
0 go, and two failed to put in an appear-
without even notifying the captain.
ever, the following seven went and played
crice game : Aidridge, c. ; Morrison, p.;
ham, I b-; Sevenoak, a b-; Drummond,
Hart, s. s.; Taylor, 1, f. The Watses-
, who had beaten the Jersey Blues, in
iken, on the Saturday previous, only a1-
1 us to make four runs during the time
hey made thirteen ; this, of course, was
expected, for no nine can expect to win
3 if half of their positions are filled by
itutes. Those men who fail to appear
the team is to play, should be fined, un-
hey have a reasonable excuse, or else
led from the team to make room for those
vill play-
:rosse is still making rapid strides to-
i the front rank in college games and we
afe in predicting a high place for Stevens,
ose who have watched the team while
cing cannot have failed to observe the
St with which the men enter the sport,
le rivalry that exists in the struggle for
:e on it. Passes and checks are made
a skill that would do credit to a profes-
, while the staying qualities of the men
'ery noticeably improved Many of the
: and Freshmen are looming up in great
, making our chances for champion In
jport very encouraging indeed ; a game
le played on the 20th of May with Har-
when the students will have another
e of seeing what the boys are made of.
h this term comes the Spring games, a
e in all college athletics, and one which
student should have at heart. The com-
: will do all that lies in their power to
it a success, and if substantial aid is given
by the students, there is no reason why
J Id not be.
rosse. May 15. — Lehigh, o ; Stevens, 1.
e-ball, May 15, — Brooklyn Polys w, Ste-
no match.
M^^/</
Columbia has boiten every college nine it
has played with this season.
Since 1878, Henry Irving has realized over
a million dollars from his acting.
We would recommend anyone interested in
electricity to read an article entitled " Practi-
cal Dynamo Buildingfor Amateurs," which ap-
peared in the last number of the Electrician
and Electrical Engineer.
An exchange defines a New York Alderman
as:
" Ad e«dt«d man
Who keeps ill be gels
And gets all he can."
The first number of the Amherst Literary
Monthly was received last week. It is well-
written, well-printed and everything about it
points to its taking a high rank among college
magazines of a similar character.
Owing to the increased size of the National
Amateur Lacrosse Association, the Olrich Cup
Tournament will be played in two sections
this year- The first section on May a 2,
and the second section on June 5. The
winner of the May section to play the winner
of the June section during the afternoon of
June 5.
The first of the middle-distance races
between Myers and George for the champion-
ship of the world was held on the first of May,
in New York, the distance being 1,000 yards.
It was easily won by Myers. Time, ;
23I sec. The second race of 5^ of ;
was held on May 8, and resulted in ;
tory for Myers.
The students of the University of Pennsyl-
vania intend to produce on the 14th and 15th
of this month the Acharnians of Aristophanes
in the original Greek. The Acharnians was
first produced at Athens in the year 425 B. C.
This will be the first time that a Greek comedy
has ever been presented in this country. The
undertaking has been placed in the hands of
a large committee of students, alumni, profes-
sors and trustees, who are using every exer-
tion to insure perfect accuracy in point of
scholarship and detail-
82
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
If Harvard is lo win the intercollegiate cup
again, it will be through the efforts of Baker,
'84, and Bradley, '86, repeating their previous
performances. Chamberlain, '86, in putting the
shot ; Bemis, "87, in the mile walk, and Dean,
'88, and the tug-of-war team as possible firsts ;
with a good number of second-rate men who
may again, as they did last year, save Harvard
from defeat.
A NEW FASHIONED GIRL.
She'd a great and varied knowledge picked up at a
female colleee, of quadralics, hydrostalics and
pneumatics very vast.
She wai slutted wilh erudition at you Bluff a leather
cushion, all the ologiei of the colleger and the
knowledges of the post.
She had studied ibe old lexiconi of Peruvians and Mex-
icans, ihcir theology, anthropology and geology
She knew all the forms and features of the prehistoric
cicatures — ichthyosaurus, pleiiosaurun, megalosau.
ruB and many more.
She'd describe the mncienl Tuscans, and the Basques
and the Etruscans, their griddles and their kettles,
and the victuals that they knawed.
She'd discuss, the learned charmer, the ihenli^ oF
Brahma, and the scandals of the Vandals. an<l the
inndaU that they trod.
She knew all the mighty giants and the master minds
of science, all the learning that was turning in the
burning mind of man.
But she cDiiidn'l prepare a dinner for a gaunt and
hungry sinner, or get up a decent supper for het
poor voracious papa, for she never was constructed
on the old domestic plan. — Lynn Union.
"Mr. Notes and Ctimmcnts," writes Eva,
'' why is dying called ' kicking the bucket ? ' "
" Don't know, dear, unless death is the pail
dest roy e r ■ ' ' — Ex.
Student, arguing a point : " Professor, I'm
sure I never saw the word before with that
meaning." Prof.: " Let us congrattilate our-
selves that it is possible for you to learn some-
thing in this class. — Argus.
Prof, in Chemistry : " Give a practical illus-
tration of the incombustibility of carbon di-
Bright Student: " If you light your breath,
it won't burn," — Bx.
-.•STEVENS'r
i^thletic A^^ociatiof
I BE HELD AT THE
ATHLETIC+GROUNDE
— ON
Thursday, Maj 27, 1886.
The following events will be hotly contested:
1, 100 Vends Bcsb,
2. 440 Yords Run,
3, 220 Yards Run
4. 0ne-l,alf FRiie Run,
5, t^l^rowinq Dacrosse Do"
U, ^tanding Orood Jump,
7. l\unriinq Migb J^Jn^P.
O, (^Qrowing Ijose-ball,
9. Puttin_9 tl,e ^bot.ieiLi
I^ Other events will probably be added.
AH aEGANT SOLID SILVER MEDAL 10 Th
WINNER OF EACH EVENT.
GLORY AND nONOR, ONLY, TO 5BCOKD BES1
Entries Olo^e l]aij 25, - - Fee f I
For /uri/iir informalion, apply (o Bi/aid
of Dinclors.
il. S. ® June, 1886. B Oo. 6.
5RooCmg gfar* (^erfiefi). . . , ^3
5faa« of '®& 83
dcuiS Sfac^e* . , , , 85
bcuiezer lj\ ^fa^) ,' 86
!^c6ei-r, anc^ Gilwin J\. gfevSGnfi. 88
icrp i^aifroac^ ©ur'se go
ri<^a6ee gatoS c^i
IG?*
f^S Sojc t)4
.ecrge (irlciCet Slroun^ gj
^'^^^^'^^'^ 95
f^c;© cj6
lencemenC ®^eefi g7
"S«® 98
n, a. ^.;
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
^THE 4- ECCENTRIC.^
The ASyUAL PubUsfuftJ by the VndevifradnatcH of Sff'vens Institute.
■) CC)N TA INS o V \'. H(
&(ID roimiKBUNs^Ei
-•^tV
125 IMAGES OF ©HOIGB PLEADING ffl A ^T -Ti E i^.
Bound in a Substantial Board Cover.
rrcICE. r,o CENTcy.
i .. * . . ■-
( .
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V . I : A K D f: r so n . 427 garden ^;^ , hdbokLN'. n. j.
STEVENS HIGH SCHOOL
-*• --"^jC ■ -••- -
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SENIOR DEPARTMENT,
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i^or Ca'^a*0i;ue3 apply to the Librarian cf Steremi In3t.:iuVi
f H^
•^UevefiS jRdiQal©P.
3.
HOBOKEN, N. J., JUNE, 1886.
No. 6.
THE SHOOTING STARS.
It was a glorious, starry night,
In splendor shone each star;
And as I stood and watched them all,
The near ones and those far;
From out the sky one bright star fell
And bade its friends a sad farewell.
And every other starry night.
When e'er to look I'd chance,
That empty space did glare at me
In heaven's broad expanse.
This ached my heart, it gave me pain-
And lo ! another fell again.
And nightly, as I watched the stars,
Another seemed to fail ;
It seemed as if they all would fall !
Such doom I did bewail.
"Oh, tell me starlets, tell me why
" You all forsake yon placid sky ? "
And mark ! the brightest of them all,
So humbly answer makes :
" Alas, we all are doomed to fall,
•* When fate our bondage breaks ! "
" Oh, must it be ! " I then replied,
"That stars must leave each other's side?"
At last, in dreary solitude,
A single star was left;
It twinkled sadly down to me.
Of all its friends bereft.
I spoke ; then prayed that it should stay.
But, no ! — it dropt, and passed away.
And now, the whole of heaven 's bare,
A vacant, empty space —
Oh ! how I long their lot to share !
Does like doom wait our race ?
No twinkling star can now be seen
A-glittering with majestic sheen.
Night after night I watch and watch,
Awaiting their return;
Rut all in vain I watch and hope.
In vain for stars I yearn !
"Oh ! let them all be gone " I cry ;
"With fancy's aid I shall espy
"A thousand siarleis in the sky."
A. Jasper Swift.
THE CLASS OF '86.
Ant, Aguilera : A Cuban gentleman, always
en grande frisure and waxed moustache ;
abhors all profanity — that is not his own.
John F, Arnoldy C, E.: A graduate of the
Troy Polytechnic Institute ; knows every-
thing— except himself ; makes his feet con-
stantly hug the ground when he walks.
Ed. T. Birdsall: The man with the full
beard ; will take electricity ; is said to have
obtained possession of the valuable chest
wherein Noah had kept the antediluvian
nuts,
C. D. Blauvelt : Loves to go out buggy
riding with a girl at his side ! otherwise quite
innocent and charming.
W, S. Chester : The great organist, with the
small vocal organ; at least, he never spoke
loud when reciting ; far above the rest of
mankind; has a sweet temper.
C. R. Collins : Never drinks before 5 p, m.,
because the free lunch is not yet ready ; quite
literary; editor-in-chief of this sheet for
several terms ; a born critic, though not a
borne critic: valedictorian of the class.
Ed, J. Cook : Represents foot and base
ball, lacrosse, etc.; artist and student; a
misogynist; spars so lively.
E, M, Cotiart : The Adonis with the slight
whiskers ; never succeeded in talking French
like English; a great singer — leader of the
Glee Club; renowned athlete and champion
boxer; his voice, like Stentor's, can* cross
the Hellespont; loud enough to be heard in
the "mind's ear" after C. has left for his
native shore.
Jly, B, Ever hart : The scholar; used to play
base-ball ; does not like Webster *s dictionary;
does not like to be nick-named; salutatorian of
the class.
84
C. J. Field: Motto: "Business before
Study;" well up in arithmetic; gives many re-
ceptions and postpones them; knows every
" dog-gone " young lady of Brooklyn ; is going
to Canada !
William Fuchs, B. S. : Graduate of the
College of the City of New York; poses as a
cynic and succeeds well in satirizing himself;
says that he was spoiled at the Institute;
otherwise quite modest.
Ovidie Giberga, C, E.: Another Renssellaer
man; now engaged on the Isthmus of Panama;
is not afraid of fever; has a charming voice,
and sings with the grace of a swan; the class
picture shows him taking the high C.
Wm. L. Haynes: Came from Rutgers Col-
lege; blushes at the mere mention of a skirt;
but still likes dancing ; does not like to be
teazed; started out with the project of rival-
ing " Birdie " in the beard line, but of course
had to give it up.
John M. HaskeU: Dignity from head to
toe, and toe to head; inventor of a monkey-
wrench; judges of the politics, religion and
other minor characteristics of others by the
way they pronounce certain words ; quite a
modest philosopher.
F. E. Jackson: Does not like to draw
trusses on cross section paper ; otherwise
very sensible; never indulges; gentle and stem,
weak and energetic, sportive and solemn, he is
bound to succeed, and success is bound to
him.
M. G. Lilly: As pure and chaste as his
namesake; was never known to blush; his
whisper, stolen from the calm zephyrs of the
night that rock and hum the lily lo sleep !
Fran. La Pointe : A great politician, likes
beer, but doesn't snuff; a quiet sort of lad
who smiles supremely and serenely when he
hears others howl ; loves to hear Prof. Wood
ask him whether he does " see the point."
John A. McCulloch : U mecanicien par ex-
cellence; no special mark, free from all vices
and full of virtues. " He is a man, take him
for all in all, etc., etc."
J. S. Merrill: Treasurer of the class;
another of Mc's tribe; "too sweet for any-
thing," when he puts on knickerbockers.
G. R. Mekal/e : The " Giddy ;" beautiful
chops, handsome beaver, and pretty cigar (?);
the three characteristics by means of which he
may be recognized ; also, never refuses a
drink when a^ed politely.
Frtd. N. Morton: Metcalfe's twin brother;
sometimes, but very seldom, found alone;
loves music passionately ; goes to bed with a
"horrid " flute in his mouth, and a banjo at
his side ; very often " Giddy " takes the
banjo's place. " Freddy" &: " Giddy," now
and forever, one and inseparable !
E. P. Mowton: a renowned jrachtsman,
bicyclist, and athlete ; has but few idiosyncra-
cies. — (Cont in our next, after his leave.)
H. K. Morrison : the well beloved, homce-
pathic Morrison ; his name will call up
pleasant recollections to all that will remember
It ; sweet Morrison, thy base-ball time is over.
L. G. Paine : entered during the Senior
year of this glorious class ; hard worker and
perfect man, [Don't know him well, you
know !]
Wm. C. Post : always straight ; captain of
the lacrosse team ; travels his time-beaten
road, and cares, politely, for no one.
Otto Pfordte : the big " Ego ; " the fiisl
man of '86 to catch a job ; has some exceiieni
ideas on lock-nuts, and so forth ; a chemist
who can analyze you into your minuiest
elements by merely looking at you.
W. IV. Randolph : A beauteous blonde; hails
from the South ; likes the old Rock where ihe
Rye grows ; nf ver kissed a girl without hei
expressed desire.
Ed. D. Self: !■
John R. Slack, A. B. : Graduate of Colum-
bia ; has some faults, I know, but I shan't lell
you ! " I'd rather choose to wrong myself,
and you, than I will wrong such, etc."
W. W. Thomas : A fine sport ; believes in
the wise proverb : " You must look, but you
may not touch ! " Ask him to show you the
New York "Oriental Pachyderm." ■
£. F. R. Varick ; His winning countenance
will soon be lost ; is not an anarchist orator,
according to his own authority.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
85
; White : Little " Ed," surnamed the
vree ; " laughs merrily, talks cheerily,
(verily!) and swears — like a major —
id" and by "Jinks."
". White : A Mexican, with a great deal
ia ; still, very often dances like a will-
vrisp ; a " puffickt leedis man," with
indrearies.
-. Woodbridge : Graduate of the Brook-
lytechnic Institute ; musician, mathe-
n, electrician, mechanician, chemistic-
mposition, and exhibition ; these and
many others combined.
R. King : (Pretty nearly forgotten, not
>n the list — but, oh, my! ") has a promi-
jht mustache and hair; has been offered
excellent positions, but has not yet de-
of a destructive turn of mind ; treats
low students like a Mentor his Tele-
His variety is infinite.
-»-#-
DAMASCUS BLADES.
n the days of the Crusaders until a
recent date, these remarkable weapons,
gh famous in all parts of the civilized
have remained a mystery as far as the
ses used in their manufacture are con-
l ; and all attempts to reproduce their
ir properties have proved futile,
g before the Christian era the wootz of
was carried to Damascus, where it was
1, by hand, into blades which were the
r of the East ; and, since the Crusaders,
; seen (and felt) their wonderful perfec-
nade them known in Europe, they have
:onsidered, the world over, the acme of
morer's art. Their keenness of edge,
jxtreme hardness, their elasticity and the
ful display of prismatic color seen, by
ig them in certain lights, and due to
e bundles or knots of exceedingly fine
:rossing and recrossing at every conceiv-
ngle upon their surfaces, are their chief
:teristics. The first three of these have
imitated with more or less success by a
er of experimenters, but the last defied
iuction until about the year 1840, when
Anosoff (of the Russian army) and M.
t conducted investigations — an account
ich was published in the " Russian Min-
nnual " — that led to the full comprehen-
►f the subject. They did not, however.
attempt to produce the desired effects by using
the Indian steel, or wootz, which is obtained
by a very primitive process; but, having ana-
lyzed this, produced a metal having its essen-
tial qualities. Working this by very compli-
cated modern methods, with the aid of the
most perfect modern machinery and with all
the experience of modern science, they suc-
ceeded in making blades possessing the same
qualities, though in not quite so marked a de-
gree, as those made at the simple forges of the
armorers of a semi barbarous race, upon whom
the Roman people looked with scorn.
The process referred to above, by which the
wootz is obtained, is as follows: The iron,
gotten direct from the ore (a magnetic oxide,
yielding only 15 per cent.) is put into cruci-
bles of clay and 10 pei cent, of dry wood, in
small bits, added. This is covered with two
or three green leaves, and the crucibles are
then carefully stopped up with moist clay to
exclude the air. From twenty to twenty-five
of these, each holding only a pound of iron,
are placed in a blast furnace fed with charcoal
and kept at the highest temperature of which
the furnace is capable, for about two hours
and a half. They are then taken out and
cooled, after which they are broken and the
steel obtained in little lumps. Of theSe lumps,
only those whose surfaces are smooth and
regular are retained, roughness indicating a
poor quality of steel, and these, being too
brittle, are melted again and kept at a red
heat for several hours, when the steel is ready
for use. An excellent specimen, procured by
Gen. Anosoff, was analyzed by M. Ilimoff,
with the following result: iron, 98; carbon,
1. 31; sulphur, .014; silicon, .5; aluminium,
.055; copper, .3; and traces of silver.
The investigation of Gen. Anosoff led to
the establishment of works at Zlatust, in the
Ural mountains, where blades, having the
properties of those of Damascus, are man-
ufactured by a process of his invention. The
crucible, having been charged with about 11
lbs. of iron, very malleable and ductile, -^ as
much pure native graphite, ^ part of scales
of iron, and ix P^^' of dolomite as flux, is
placed in the blast furnace, where it is kept
for five hours, when three-fourths of the graph-
ite will have disappeared and a net work of fine
lines will be visible on the steel. When the
fuel in the furnace is exhausted and the cruci-
ble becomes cool, the latter is taken out and
the lump of steel, weighing about 1 1 pounds,
and presenting a surface of uniform appear-
ance, is obtained. This is drawn out under
^r
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
a hammer, from three to nine heat^ being
required for the Ojwration, after which it is
cut into thrte pieces and each piece forged
again separately. As the lower side of the
original lump is better marked than the upper,
care is taken in forging to preserve the dis-
tinction between the two, that the cutting edge
of the blade may be made from the former.
The iridescent appearance is brought out by
washing in a solution of sulphate of iion con-
taining a certain quantity of sulphate of alu-
mina, after which it is repeatedly washed with
soap and water, and wiped dry.
These blades resemble the real Damascus
in all essential particulars, and the estahHsh-
ment at Zlatusl, became celebrated for their
manufacture during the life of Gen. AnosolT.
Since his death, however, which occurred in
1851, his successors have been unable to sus-
tain the reputation of the works; and it is
supposed that he had always kept part of his
process a secret, and that it died with him.
M. B. G.
DIANA LOUIEZER.
A PLAY IN NOT QUITE SO MANY ACTS,
Adapttd fiem Ike Ctniian ty T, Dingvi Kchot.
DRAMATIS I'ERSON/E.
Loophole, A Kid, going on Iwcnly-one.
ErrHHRllliNL Fkstin, His mother, owner of llie
Brewery.
GOSHtiARN FUSSBH, Rascally Plumber, and hcnvy
DeuJei in Coal, Wo(k1 and Slalionery.
DUNA LOUIBZER, H IS daughter.
Mahijuis i)B Shellac, Dishonest Undenaker to the
RuBui-Liul^-uuii. A Police Cnplain,
JOKRCB, Hlunibcr's Assistant. Third-rale Villian, in
league with ShellRC.
Faufl' \ Beggarly Plumbers,
VECETAnLES, )
Unedueuted Brewen. Mobs. Degraded Aldermen.
ACT I.
Scene. — Dark comer in Fusser's shop.
Diana. sirafiKg pift-lach. Jokrgb, sUaliHg sla-
JoRR^iE. Hoek f Diana, Hock ? What know I of
hock ? Vou charge me with hocking your father's rub-
bers and say you saw the check protruding from me
vest pocket, Diana, why seek you to turn from me
love? Melhinks the vulgar brewery chump hath pried
into the ground floor of thy affections and thrust me
out. Bui nay ! It cannot be ; it must not be. (Gels
very hiavily txciltd.) Oh, gacurl, me heart — I —
Ohwowjoo joplumbogo (Slm^gUi vieltnlly
milk a Jtimiui plasUr an Ail lifl inail.) Oh 1 Diana,
say, will you not 1« nie own ? [K'ntib fxtiltdly an tint
feuntli of putty audmias his sfring fanls.)
Diana ( iVilk pale hlut ematioM.) Jorrge, avut :
Drive me not In violence, I have a loud, strong breilb
■nd can defend myKlt. Beware Ihce, Jorrge — Beware I
I will not take youi love ; not even with b pound nt
lea beside. Nay, leave me ! { K'awi her feel gtacf/ullj
lo7v.irJi the door.)
JoRiGB. [A riling wilh derp^ed iiillainy tIampiJ oni
tminiiiereii on varteut parli of kis counlenanct.) Aha !
Then, Diana, you reject me love ? The die is c»L
Vou yet shall me with big salt teats of imilalion anguish
the ilay when you ca.it ihe jewel of me love away.
{Exit.) (Diana eonlinun It stmpr pipe-lacks rtfiicHi>rly.)
Enter Loophole.
Loophole, Oh, Diana! So long. (£«/,1 {Rt-emttniis
fuHr itHg/nhlicii.) Now yon »ee me! Now you don't!
(Falls uiu.xpecledly daum Ihe cellar itairs. DiANA gives
several tries tut net any »f them mid attA piercing.
Runs to Ihe staits.)
Diana. Oh, Loophole are you damaged 7
Loophole, ( From ieloa:) No, but I lost a wooden
toothpick. Bring two boxes <A matches while I find
Diana. Tarry not there. Methioks I heat my
father's footsteps approaching on horseback. (Loophole
comes Hf frvm Ihe etllar.)
LooPHO^F. Diana, I saw the plumber pup on yonder
comer and tnelhought he looked as though he sought
gore, and — but hold ! I see also upon your face fom
conaeculive shades of agitation. Has the mongrel
guttersnipe disturbed thee?
DiANA- Aye. Loophole, and I would have kicked
him wilh my number nines had I known that you wett
near. But I fear there will be trouble brewing.
Loophole. Yes : there is. We brew it daily al the
brewery.
Diana, Huyler, once again, Loophole, Fresh eveiy
hour. But 1 mean thai I rejected Jorrge and he will
work us ill. He said Ihe same.
Loophole, Nay, Diana. The foul snooier shall noi
thwart us, I will grasp him by his paper collar a.Dd
thrust him nearly three feet from mc. I shall fix things
up. Depend on me.
Diana. Oh, Loophole, let me lay my head upon youi
lofty shirt front. {Loyi her head upon his higi-fritiJ
dirty skirl cover with nelking tut a false hasirni umlrr
it. He embraces her and rmmden if ie has cash erwugi
far iToa sodas. Lengthy pause, in ivhich JottlCE. FlsH,
Frl'it, dH'/ Vei;btablbs. look in alike window and mii
in the procredint;s. After a-Mch they lake all lie ItaJ
pipes and suf plies vithin reach. Jorrge maies a naisi.
Loophole leoii up and ftrctives him.)
Loophole, (Jumping six and tkree-quarirr feel.)
Seel Jorrge, Ihe guttersnipe 1 (JokRCE J'oealei stry
kaslily.)
Diana Great Phoebus > We are wrecked. (/'aiWi
dead ataay on two and a kalf-doten gas glaies.)
ACT U.
Scene— flatt part of Ike Bn
JoHKr.E. Now, Sir Marquis de Shellac, you say youi
busines" ho-s been dull of late, because ihc beer i?
brewed loo pure, nnd hence there are not funerals
enongh.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
87
Shellac. Even so, and I know not wherewith to
boom things.
JORRGE. Yes, but I do, I am a plumber. Aye, a
regular snyde plumber. I can go beneath the brewery
and tinker witn the plumbinfc and fix things so the vul-
gar sewer gas will mingle with the beer, and then, sir,
funerals will start in nrst-class shape. (Shellac gets
highly elaUd. Turns three hand springs and dances
one double shuffle.)
Shellac. Most noble plumber ; and will you do it ?
JoRRGE. Aye, if you will do for me. Young First in
has robbed me of me fair one, and I seek revenge. Help
me to revenge ; 10 drag him down, down to the depths
of degradation and I will tinker with the plumbing.
Shellac. Agreed.
JORRGE Then first I'll tell you of what I lately saw
between them. (Exeunt, talking.)
ACT III.
Scene. — Luxurious up-Uyum apartments ^/Etterrheni
FlRSTlN Etterrheni seated at an aged piano
with every other note gone^ playim^ the * * Brewer^ s
Quadrille^'* concocted by herself. Ente» Shellac «»-
attended by a valet.)
Shellac. Madame, oxskuse me. I came to talk of a
little matter regarding his nobbishness, your son.
Etterrhenl Proceed; I am acquainted with me son
somewhat and I supply him with spondoulix occasion-
ally.
Shellac. Your son is on the .^-line to ruin. One
Fusser, a rascally plumber has a daughter who has be-
guiled Sir Loophole. When he visits her, she engages
him in conversation while her father steals around and
purloins various articles from his person. And they
even go so far as to treat him to your own beer. The
couple must be arrested. Let us proceed at once to
procure liberty and justice and a seventy-five cent
warrant.
Etterrhenl Oh, geursh ! can this be? Excuse me
while I put on my rubber boots and my cast iron
basque, trimmed with zinc. (Exit for a few minutes.
Re-enters and exit with SHELLAC )
ACT IV.
Scene. Front door Kusser*s shop. Fusser smoking
a three for five. Enter JORKGE, FiSH, Fruit am/
Vegetables.
JoRRGE. Good morning. Mr Fusser, will you come
inside for four hours while 1 talk with yuu on business
that don*t concern you in the least ?
Fusser. Oh, certainly, don't mention it. Ju!>t wait
two years while I infect the neighborhood a little more
with my Havana.
JoRRGE. With pleasure; no hurry. {Grabs Fusser by
the pants and drags him ail over the shop.) Nice weather
for exercise. I came to see you about a little matter
regarding your daughter. I feel that you ought to be
informed on the subject. There comes to see her,
daily, a vile brewery waif, and not only is he of a low ex-
traction, but he is a thieving villain. But yesterday the.se
gentlemen here, and myself, saw him swipe lead pen-
cils from the stock while he was here and Diana was in
charge. He is a base, chrome green villain. Rise up
against him. Let us go this very eyewink and procure
a warrant for bis arrest.
Fusser. Jorrge, I thank you, accept a little, mean,
insignificant token of my gratitude. {Hands him a loaded
cigar ; two cent sizzler, with horse hair and bad saltpetre
filling ) I will have the villain arrested at once. Let
us be off for a warrant. {Exeunt.)
ACT V.
Scene. — Front of Fusser's shop. Fusser soldering
his suspenders ; Jorrge sweeping out. The morn-
ing sun { price two cents), stealing all over the land-
scape.)
Fusser. Now, Jorrge, let me recline me orbs ou the
base human lump that seeks to ruin me. With four
cops and a gilt edged warrant in the back ^oom his doom
is sure. ( iVinks his ears satisfactorily.)
Jorrge. Aye, the villain is entrapped. {Smiles a big
tin smile of insatiate villainy. Rumble of wheels. En-
ter brewery wagon containing SHELLAC, Etterrheni,
RuBBi-DUB-DUB and a gang of UKEDVCATKD Brewers).
Etterrhenl ( Turning a hand-spring oiUof the wagon
and rushing at FusSER. thirty-two miles per hour.) Haa !
Hoo ! Hee ! Base bummer I have you. {Grabs him by
both ears and bumps his head at the rate of seventy-six
times a second against the brick wall. Enter Loophole,
much amazed. Fusser perceives him and breaks loose;
falls with a dull thud upon him.)
Fusser. Hi ! Ragged rufHan. at last. {Blocks his
stiff hat and hits him a poke on his false shirt front.
Grand right and left. Cops, Brewers, Plumbers
Etterrheni gets Fusser down and jumps up and down
on his neck ; LooPHOLE/^ra-^ze'j JORRGB; rocks, sticks
and Dutch pro fanity. Plumbers a«</ Brewers heave
lead pipe ^ coal^ looodand solder. Entn fifteen thous'tnd
assorted populace. RUBBI-DUB-DUB bawls one lung out.
Cops and RuBBl-DUB-DUByf>w//v stop the riot)
RUBBI-DUB-DUB. What means this howling riot ?
Fusser. {Crawling up from the cellar way.) There,
behold the villainous instigator ! {Points to Loophole.)
Loophole. {Gathering up his snyde jewelry from the
surrounding landscape.) Nay! But there, see the mon-
grel pup that first barked. {Points to Fusser.)
Diana. {Rushing in out of breath.) Seize the bow
eared knaves. {Points to Shku.kc and ]oKKiiE..) lover-
heard them talking of a base scheme and this is the re-
sult. I have run all the way from Morristown N J.,
but alas, too late. {Sinks in several distinct heaps upon
the grottnd and gives J OKKGE and Shellac dead away.
They are seized and ctficr full explanation Etterrheni
approaches Fusser.)
E'ITERRHENI. Fus. old fel., excuse me for treading on
your jugular, but I was laboring under a delusion.
Fusser. Oh, certainly Et.. certainly ; don't mention
it. I beg you to give me your tin breastpin as a token
of this pleasant occasion. (Etikrrheni^iz/^j ^«//» M<r
pin)
Loophole. Ah, Fusser, now gaze into my four een
carat countenance and say the fair Diana can be mine
Fusser. Take her. Loophole. Aye, and even more : a
load of wood and one p.ickige of note paper with her.
{Leads Diana to Loophole.)
Etterrheni. {To the Brewers.) Geester heim : Auf
dee brewery hineingogoen an. (£'jriV Brewers.) {To
Fusser.) Come, let us all to ihe dime restaurant and
roll in luxury in honor of the occasion.
All. Well! Now! {Excun'.)
Curtain.
THE STE-VENS INDICATOR.
JOHN, ROBERT. AND EDWIN A.
STEVENS.
One of the greatest engineers living at the
commencemenl of the present century, with-
out having lieen the first to propose naviga-
tion on. land or sea by steam, yet exhibiting a
far better knowledge of the science and art of
engineering and holding, more advanced views
in regard to the importance and capabilities
of the steam engine, was Col. John Stevens.
He was born, i749f in New York City, but
became a resident of Hoboken, N. J. His
attention was directed first to steam engineer-
ing, by seeing, in 1787, the imperfect steam-
boat of John Fitch on the Delaware River.
Familiarizing himself with this new and curi-
ous combination, he became an unwearied ex-
perimenter in the application of steam to loco-
motion.
In 1804, three years before Fulton's steam-
er, the ■' Clermont," plowed its way up the
Hudson, Stevens had constructed a steam-
boat which, by the principles involved, was
destined to become the parent of the modem
Atlantic steamship. This boat was propelled
by a pair of twin screws, and was furnished
with steam at 50 lbs. pressure by a sectional
boiler. The machinery of this boat, as here
illustrated, is to be seen in the Library at the
Institute.
The success of this, and of a ond u 1
in 1806, although the knowledg f hem a
confined to a limited circle, wa u h h
Stevens was encouraged to con ru a 1 j,
steamboat, the " Phcenix," a s ew p opelle
which was brought out closely af he on
pletion of Fulton's side-whee! boat, and made
a successful trip to Albany in August, 1807,
only a few days after the voyage of the " Cler-
mont." A law passed in New York gave to
Fulton the monopoly of the waters of the
State ; so in 1808 he sent his boat, in charge
of his son, Robert L. Stevens, around into the
Delaware, thus making the first sea voyage in
a steam vessel. Here the " Phcenix " proved
a success.
In the year 1811 he urged the construction
of a railroad to connect the Lakes with the
Hudson River, insisting upon the economy o(
first cost and maintenance as well as the speed
of transportation, as contrasted with the canal
then proposed. At that time not a locomotive
existed in any shape. A few short tram-roads
were in existence, and, for transportation.
wagons with ordinary wheels turning on axle-
trees were drawn by horses. The wagons
were prevented from running off sideways by
a raised flange on the outer edge of the rail.
He published, May, 181 2, a pamphlet, making
public his views and calculations respecting
the feasibility of applying steam to locomo-
tion on land, and the precise mode of such
application. He describes precisely the prin-
ciples of the modern railroad ; the non-
condensing locomotive with tubular boiler,
its wheels fast on the axle, and the flanges on
the inner perifery of the wheels. He writes :
" I can see nothing to hinder a steam carriage
moving on these ways with a velocity of 100
miles an hour," but adds : "This astonishing
velocity is considered here as merely possible.
It is probable that it may not, in practice, be
convenient to exceed twenty or thirty miles
an hour. Actual experiments, however, can
alone determine this matter, and I should not
be surprised at seeing steam carriages pro-
pelled at the rate of forty or fifty miles an
hour. In 1838 this great man died, whose
t JOHN STEVBNS, I804.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
enl^ged liberal and progressive ideas placed
him tar in advance of the times in which he
lived.
Robert L. Stevens, his son, was born in
1786, and, when a boy, worked in the ma-
chine shop at Hoboken. He devoted his
whole life to experimental philosophy, the re-
sults of which have been of great public ben-
efit. He was associated with his father in
many important experiments. In 1814 he
launched the steamboat" Philadelphia," which
attained the then wonderful speed of 13!^
miles an hour. He determined and introduced
into his practice the forms of least resistance
and the graceful water lines to which so much
attention is now paid. In this steamboat he
employed the expansive working of steam.
In 1822, when Fulton introduced steam ferry
boats, Stevens built one which was the first of
the now standard form. Here he substituted
for the heavy, solid cast-iron walking-beam,
the skeleton, wrought-iron walking-beam now
in universal use in America. In iSay, on the
steamboat "North America," he applied the
hog-frame, consisting of the large timbers on
the sides, to prevent the boat bending in the
An invention of great importance was that
of the Stevens valve-gear, the joint work of
Robert L. Stevens and his nephew, Francis
B. Stevens, in the year 1841. In the same
year he invented the double slide cut-off for
locomotives and large engines. This, besides
the general use on the river boats built in
New York, is in use on the great locomotives
of the Central Pacific R.R. The first loco-
motives used on the Camden and Amboy
R.R. were built from his plans. He corre-
sponded and exchanged ideas concerning lo-
comotives, with Robert Stephenson. He in-
vented the universally used T-rail, and as his
design was pronounced in Scotland, an im-
possible one to roll, he went abroad to show
how it was to be done. In 1843 he designed
an iron clad war vessel to be 250 feet long,
but in 1854 such progress had been made in
go
THIi STEVENS INDICATOR.
1
naval engineering, that he abandoned this and
laid down the keel of a ship of much greater
size and power. This was the famous ' Stev-
ens Battery," which was described in our
April number. He upheld, from the begin-
ning, the principle now recognized, ihat a
smaller number of the largest guns should be
employed, rather than a larger number of
small guns. Acting in accordance with this
principle, he provided, on his iron clad, for
the mounting of the largest guns that could
be constructed at the time, to be worked on
turntables. His death occurred before the
vessel could be finished, in the year 1856.
Edwin A. Stevens, bom in 1795, atid James
C Stevens, who had taken an active interest
in their brother's great work, attempted to
secure from the government authority to com-
plete the ship. Mr. Edwin A. Stevens, died
in the year 1868, leaving the task still unac-
complished. In his will he left funds to finish
the work. It wa.s decided to introduce radi-
cal changes in the vessel, and to rebuild it
into the monitor pattern, as shown in the illus-
tration. The funds, however, proved insuffi-
cient to finish it on the elaborate scale pro-
posed, and so the work stopped. This noble
vessel, with its possibility of becoming the
fastest war steamer in the world, the most
powerful steam ram, the fleetest of torpedo
ships, and the most formidable of iron-clads,
contrary to the recommendations of Prof.
Thurston and other eminent engineers, was
sold, and broken up in tS8o, as before
described. By far the greatest work of Edwin
A. Stevens, was the founding of an " Insti-
tution of Learning, for the benefit, tuition, and
advancement in learningof the youth residing
in the State of New Jersey." He left, in his
will, funds for the accomplishment of this
design, and appointed trustees for its govern-
ment. It was his intention, as he expressed
it, that this Institution should be perpetual.
The first catalogues of the Institute announced
that the executors, in view of the existing
needs of the country at large, and of the per-
sonal interest always manifested by Mr.
Stevens in the development of the mechanic
arts, had determined that the Institution of
Learning should be a school of Mechanical
Engineering. It was determined to make this
of a high educational order and to involve a
general and not a merely industrial training ;
it was thought best also in memory of its
munificent founder, to call the new school the
Stevens Institute of Technology.
Albitan.
A SHARP RAILHOAD CURVE. '
The sharpest railroad curve in the world,
for standard gauge track, has lately been con-
structed on the Providence, Warren and Bris-
tol R.R- The curve was constructed to do
away with the old method of backing out of
Providence and switching on to the main
track. Portions of this description are quoted
from the Railroad Gazette.
In order to minimize an enormous amount
of excavation, necessitated by the close prox-
imity of a steeply sloping bluff 130 feet high,
this very sharj) curve was adopted. Tht
radius of curvature decreases every fifty feet
untiltheminimum radius of III feet is reached,
at the end of this curve the radius increases
every eleven feet until the tangent is reached.
The whole curve has a sweep of nearly i8a
degrees. To enable the eight wheelers to
traverse the curve, the flanges are taken off the
front drivers, and the width of tire increased
to seven inches. A third and fourth rail is
laid on the inside of the curve for the blank
wheel to run off on. The locomotives ride
much easier, and are much easier on track
since the flanges have been taken off. The
weight of the rails is seventy lbs. per yard
The third and fourth rails are bolted to the
main rails with braces between. The two rails
thus joined are laid as a single rail and furnish
more than doubid the usual bearing upon the
sleepers, thus making a particularly rigid
curve. The road-bed is heavily ballasted with
broken stone. Every engine of the road his
traversed the curve with perfect ease, and a
train of seven empty cars has been backed
around it by an engine with only sixty-six lbs.
of steam.
An engine has also been built for this road,
especially adapted for such curves. It is of
the type of the bogie or two cylinder Fairlie
engine, and is named the "Pokanokel." In
making a test on a curve roughly laid in a
ballast hole, the " Pokanoket" passed round a
curve of 19^ feet radius (thirty degrees) with
ease, while an engine of the usual American
type spread the track so badly thai the trial
had to be discontinued. The "Pokanokel"
has, strictly speaking, three trucks. The fo'-
wark truck has two wheels only. The centre
truck has four wheels, drivers, and carries the
cylinders. The hind truck has six wheels.
The forward bogie or driving truck consists of
two pairs of drivers coupled and a two-wheeleJ
leading truck, the latter arranged so as 10 lif
adjustable to any desired curvature of track
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
91
eep the flanges of the forward drivers
om the rail as may be considered de-
irhen running ahead. The rear bode
T truck is made centre-bearing, with
side springs to prevent rocking, and
: springs to transmit the weight to the
The weak point of the Fairlie engine
lys been the steam pipe joints. As the
s and drivers are mounted on a truck
L swiveling motion in relation to the
: is evident that the steam pipe joints
free to swivel, and that they will have
angular motion in passing around
In engines built under Mr. Fairlie's
is, these joints always gave more or
ble. Mr. Meats, of the Mason Machine
the designer of this engine, has com-
Dvercome any leakage by means of
ts, of somewhat peculiar construction,
eam pipe. These joints possess, to a
degree, the properties of a ball and
oint, and are held together by two
ts diametrically opposite each other,
through flanges set off on each side of
5. Spiral springs upon the bolts be-
e nuts and the flanges, maintain a con-
jssure upon the joints and furnish the
elasticity. As the steam pipes do not
3Ugh the centre pin of the truck, they
ectly accessible at all times, and the
tion of the truck centre is much sim-
To prevent wear of the main driver
irhen running tender first, a heavy ad-
spring lever is thrown into gear, by
f which the tender truck guides the
in a manner similar to, but slightly
5tic, than that in which the forward
a standard engine guides its drivers
ining ahead. This arrangement makes
ae remarkably steady when running in
rection, as compared with a standard
n fact, about as easy as a passenger
allowing are the general dimensions :
diameter and stroke 16 in. X 24 in .
iameter on tread ' 56 in .
4 ft. 8>^ in.
Soft coal .
ie, total 35 ft. o>^ in .
steam truck 14 ft. o in .
driving 7 ft. o in .
I front truck 12,500 lbs.
drivers 61.800 lbs.
hind truck 52 000 lbs.
Total in working order 126,300 lbs.
force per lb. average pressure in
lers 109.7 lbs .
icity 2,000 gallons .
A. A. F.
REMARKABLE SAWS.
The attentive readers of the Stevens Indi-
cator will have noticed, in its April number,
an interesting article, headed "A Saw With-
out Teeth." In addition to this article I will
state a few facts, which bear upon the same
subject.
Apparently it was an American who made
the discovery, that if circular saws are in-
tended for cutting metals or other hard sub-
stances, the teeth can be dispensed with if
the saw runs at a very high rate of speed.
The most remarkable feature of many of
this kind of machines is that the cutting sub-
stance is much softer than the substance to be
cut; e, g.y steel may be very easily cut by means
of an iron saw. This fact appears to have been
known at least about forty-five years ago. At
that time there existed, in London, an institution
whose object it was to show and demonstrate
to the public new inventions and scientific
discoveries. Its name was "The Adelaide
Gallery," an institution similar to the still ex-
isting Polytechnic Institution. Important ex-
periments were often made there, until strong
competition compelled its managers to give up
the business.
The experiment in question was announced
as " Cutting a well tempered razor blade by a
piece of cardboard." This was actually done.
A disc of cardboard of about 26 inches diam-
eter was made to revolve, as was then rudely
estimated, twenty times a second. It cut a
groove of three or four millimeters into the
back of the razor blade; glass rods and pieces
of marble were also cut through. Nothing was
done in regard to the experiment until thirty
years afterwards, when an American invented
a saw for cutting steel, based on the same prin-
ciple.
A few years later, Mr. Reese, of Pittsburgh,
Pa., constructed a circular saw without teeth,
about 3-16 in. thick, and 42 in. in diameter.
This disc made 230 revolutions in one minute,
while the thick steel rods were made to revolve
200 times per minute in a direction similar to
that in which the disc turned. The rods be-
came extremely hot, while the disc rose only a
few degrees in temperature. Moreover, the
cut itself was 5-16 inches wide, all of which
tends to prove, that strictly speaking, it is not
the disc itself, which cuts the steel, but the air
carried along on account of its rapid rotation.
Wat.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
laih OF E>CH MONTH. DURING THE COLLEGE YEAR.
INDICATOR PUBLISHING COMPANY.
%\i\i^ In^tiitate a! Tecgnolog^.
~K EDITORS. H—
HUBKKT S. WVNKOOP. 'Bg, BJiUr-.m-tkitf.
CURNSLIUS ] F(HLD, 'W, Btuimti Mamaerr.
LUCIUS T, FIHCH. '89, Exikai^ EJiltr
CARTER B. PAGE. '87. BURTON P. HALL. '88.
T G, SMITH. 'M. ARTHUR A, FULLER, '88,
TERMS t-tl-U par TMr. In Adnnc
SIngIa Copr- ID Cenli.
rtgularfy.
TAt mrittt't fuU namt^ai well as Aii NOM DB pi.umr,
mull aaemtany Iht articlt, at aiiurnHct of goal faith
and reHahiUty ; iitl it will not be fubUihed, uhUis diiirrd,
ExtkaHgti, caMriinlifiiu. suisfiipiism. advtrtitemtHts
atid all othir lemmtaiicaHeHS by mail, iMcmM bf addrtsstd
/oTkeStkvbns Indicator, SUvmt iHsHtuu.Hohaktn.
N.J-
Letter! for puhlieatien ikeuld ie vmlten Ugility in ink,
upon one side of Iht paper ; urtUti too long, they will be
inserted as written.
TAt editors do not hold themselves responiihle for opin-
ions expressed in literary articles or commnnieations.
TT7HE athletic reporter of the Tribune is in-
'1 competent and malicious. We couple
these epithets, because, if we can prove the
latter, the former must hold true as a natural
inference. A few weeks ago the New York
University played Stevens at lacrosse. A dis-
pute arising during the game, the various re-
porters present were requested in a gentlemanly
way not to say more than was necessary to a
truthful representation of the game. In the
same gentlemanly manner the reporters ac-
quiesced, with the exception of the Tribune
representative, who threatened to "fix up" one
of the disputers in the Sunday Tribune. Upon
being reminded that this paper had always
done its best to injure foot-ball the reporter
behaved so insolently that the college man lost
his temper and offered to " fix up " the repte-
aentative of that mud-slinging sheet. With
the sneaking cowardice characteristic of men
of his type, the latter hurriedly declined and
went his way unmolested, muttering all sorts
of wild threats.
Wc mention this incident as a sample of the
fairness of the Tribune; and our reason for
including the Editor as well as the penny-a-
liner is this : For three consecutive years i\\t
Tribune has published an editorial condemning
the rough and brutal playing of the college
lacrosse teams — that of Stevens in particular—
and slating that the North of Ireland nifn
would show us how the game should be
played. The writer of that editorial knans
nothing whatever of lacrosse. Follow his sug-
gestions by forbidding body-checking, and
what sort of a game would we have? We
pardon the editor's pride in the lady-like play-
ing of his countrymen who, he hopes, can
teach us how to play; but a pen in the hands
of a man utterly ignorant of his subject plays
much mischief among the ignorant and holds
the writer up to the ridicule of the initiated.
We feel perfectly free to say all this, for llie
Tribune has spared no endeavor lo injutf
athletics at Stevens ; and it is only fair lu
thosewho are unfortunate enough to be obliged
to read such reports that this statemenl ol
facts be made.
ri^0rG?]JnQR garbs.
Several months ago we took occasion 10
mention the dilapidated condition of the
blackboard erasers in the engineering room
At present we call attention to those in itif
mathematics room. There are, perhaps, l«o
which are in good condition. We have noi
even the old blocks on which to stretch ou!
handkerchiefs. The amount of time wasieil
while waiting for a chance at the rubber is
enormous. Now that the spring games are
passed, perhaps a collection might be laU"
up among the students to provide a new 1"'
of erasers. If not, the faculty might hireoi"
the campus to Buffalo Bill and the KickapM
Indians for circus performances. By il"'
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
93
after O. W. J. had been properly cared
re will be something left for the pur-
f supplies for next year.
ig the summer the Indicator is to be
part and thoroughly cleaned. Several
ations of design will probably be
This is to enable it to work more
:ly as well as to improve the appear-
While we promise no great change, our
may rest assured that we will use
neans in our power to increase the
ess of the Indicator.
< ^ » »
PBRSe^Bl^S-
•83-
s E. Sague is now with N. Y., L. E. &
.., Dept. of Tests, Susquehanna, Pa.
'84.
ard L. Feam is reporter for the " Brook-
jle," Brooklyn, N. Y.
'85.
s Beatty, Jr., may now be addressed at
igan's Wharf, Baltimore, Md.
. G. Smith is with Warden & Mitchell,
lists, Philadelphia, Pa.
A. Adriance, with Adriance, Piatt &
•ughkeepsie, N. Y.
SOCIAL.
"S. S. S." was organized in 1885, and
s far been in a flourishing condition,
ers for the season of '85-*86 : W. F.
'86, President ; A. Aguilera, Jr., '86,
;s Manager ; T. Taylor, Jr.. 'Z2^, Treas-
l. M. Blankenship, '88, Secretary,
bers from all four classes :
>tal number 28
first dance of the season was held in
lall, February 24, and opened a suc-
season. The second was a German,
[arch 8, in the "Physical Laboratory,"
was kindly granted by Pres. Morton,
y for this particular occasion but also
>se to follow. Dr. Geyer manifested
erest by placing eight Weston incan-
: lights of one hundred candle power
each, to illuminate the room. The effect was
brilliant and everybody was delighted. Mr.
Matthew Lackland superintended the engine
and dynamo, which proved to be objects of
no little interest to the participators in the
dance. The third dance was also a German,
held as before, in the Phys. Lab., and was
of about the same character and general in-
terest as the second dance, about sixty being
present. The fourth and last dance was a
Favor German, in the Phys. Lab., and was the
most successful of the season. The favors,
furnished by the chaperones, were numerous
and beautiful. Refreshments, as usual, added
to the enjoyment of the occasion. The stu-
dents and fair maidens glided gracefully o'er
the polished floor until the wee small hours of
the morning, and thus ends the second season
of the " S. S. S." The Germans were led by
Mr. J. Day Flack, '87. Mrs. Morton, Mrs.
Stillman, Mrs. Elder, Mrs. Besson and Mrs.
Waefelaer have kindly acted as chaperones,
and have added much to the enjoyment of
these occasions. The "S. S. S." would again
here express its thanks to all those who have
lent them their aid, and especially to Pres.
Morton, Prof. Mayer and Prof. Geyer, for
their kindness in loaning and lighting the
Lab. for our use.
There is one other social event, which, al-
though not connected directly with "Stevens,"
is nevertheless of much interest to many of
the students residing in Hoboken. This is
the annual entertainment given by the " Help-
ing Hand," a society composed of ladies from
every church in Hoboken, who, as the name
indicates, do indeed extend a helping hand to
the poor of Hoboken. Being thus a society
of all the churches, some of our professors and
their wives are much interested, as should also
be the students residing here. May 6th, this
society gave the Japanese Tea. The holder
of each ticket was entitled to a cup and sau-
cer. The German Lutheran Church was pro-
fusely decorated with Japanese lanterns, ban-
ners and fans, which, with many other beauti-
ful articles of Japanese origin, were on sale.
But the most attractive objects of the evening
were the delegations from each church, of four
or five young ladies, dressed in Japanese cos-
tumes. With hair dressed high, with flowing
skirts and sleeves ornamented with brilliant
colors, quaint figures, cute little fans, rats,
mice, etc., these fair damsels flitted to and fro
serving the refreshments and selling their
wares. Not a few students were present, and
the affair was a complete success.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
Say, boys, don't Kegebehn's beer stands
make good ash receivers ?
It has just been developed by a Soph, that
a new property of angels is phosphorescence.
During the past week one of the students
made a very interesting discovery. He found
that mercury is in the solid form when frozen.
Some startling statements in chemistry by
"88 — Lead acetate = acetic acid. While lead
is most largely used in manufacture of face-
powder.
The man who don't know all about Bible
History don't get along very smoothly in
Paradise Lost. That means the class don't
get along smoothly.
The man who translates the German word
" bald " as having the meaning of the same
word in English, is very likely to gel what the
boys call "balled up,"
" Here's to Eighty-six, drink her down !"
Why doth the liltle reckless Prep.
Delight to swear and chew ?
Why, simply 'cause he wants lo act
As other Mickie^ do.
Logical definition of chaii by Prof. W— — 1 :
Species. — Chair.
Genus. — A movable seat.
Difference. — A seat intended for one person.
Last week when the word " Zugabe" was
analyzed and found to mean that which is
given in addition, one of the class suggested
that it might be an appropriate name for free
lunch.
This is the season of the year when the man
in Math, stands in line for the one blackboard
rubber and after enjoying one rub with it,
does the rest of his erasing with his coat sleeve
and fingers.
The new cherub is yet young and inno-
cent, and totally unused to things generally.
He has a faculty of coming into Prof. Kroeh's
room during recitation and asking for Prof.
Kiesenberger.
Prof. W 1 draws the line of distinction
between literary and non-liter:iry language
when a student uses such expressions as
" Well, Milton had been pntty rough on the
Royalists, etc."
in chemistry lectures Prof. Leeds is worn
lo hold up precipitates thai no one in the claw
ever saw before, and sayr " Now you see, 1
have obtained the substance, the appearsDce
of which is so familiar lo you."
Deak is very homesick. That is, he pmc-
tised a Dutch swear-word until he had iht
toothache, and then he applied for leave of
absence to go South and recuperate. Huw-
ever, one bottle of St. Jacob's Oil has braciil
him all up again.
A short lime since the New Jersey came
within an ace of running down the Weehawkcn.
If the New Jersey only knew what a favor slit
would have conferred on suffering humanit),
she certainly wouldn't have missed such a
valuable opportunity to benefit the race.
The City of Hoboken ought to have one
decent city appurtenance for a short while and
then go into hopeless bankruptcy. At a li't
which occurred recently in Hoboken, one ol
the '86 men who happened to be on hand, had
to show the firemen how lo couple the hose lu
the engine.
The Preps, appear to be well supplied with
money. The other day two baby Preps, »we
indulging in a sparring match, to the greai
delight of their overgrown brothers, who wert
making beis in ihe mosi reckless way. The
Prep, will be pretty " lough " by the time he's
a freshman.
" Strayed off " has signified his intention ol
joining Buffalo Bill's parly. He has pairaed
his walch and all his clothing, with the ex-
ception of a lacrosse jersey and a pair ol
trousers, and has given his Indicator sub-
scription {with the bill) to the librarv of the
Y. M, C. A,
" They are as sick that surfeit with iw
much as they that starve with nothing," i*
one of Shakespeare's wise sayings and will lie
illustrated by '88 at the end of the present
term. The term being very short, some of ihe
professors have given the class, about four
times as much work as it can do comforiahly,
so if the class don't know much about wha*
they have been over during the term, <Jon *
blame the class,
'88 is entertained every week by one *-^'
mure nightingales {?J who stand out in tl"*'
THE STEVENS INDICA TOR.
95
ing chemistry recitation and lecture
ke the surrounding country very
2 indeed, as well as all the inhabitants
including, of course, *88. A very
he music in question goes a very great
. the class has already had enough to
itil 1900, so the producers need not
hemselves to furnish any more during
:ration.
&EORGE CRICKET GROUNDS.
ent requests from the students have
D publish a copy of the agreement be-
evens and the St. George's. It should
it and preserved for future reference.
\NDiiM OF Agreenent, made this first day
in the year 1866, between
'EVENS Institute Athletic Association,
m, New Jersey, party of the first part, and
•. George Cricket Club, of the City of
:, party of the second part,
SETH, That the party of the first part, in con-
of the covenants hereinafter contained, and
of five hundred (500) dollars, to be paid by
of the second part, as herinafter mentioned,
bllows :
le party of the second part shall have ex-
\ of the grounds, situated at the foot of Ninth
oboken, known as the St. Geoi^e's Cricket
s follows :
Mondays and Wednesdays of each week from
ercof to May i, 1887.
I Fridays and Saturdays of each week from
ereof to September i, 1886.
>n Tuesdays and Thursdays of each week from
0 October 15, 1866, it being agreed that the
tiall revert to the party of the first part from
f October to the 1st of January following,
he exclusive use of the building on the south-
f said grounds, and the right to use all oul-
ar the aforesaid southerly building.
rty of the second part covenants to pay for
leges the sum of five hundred (500) dollars, as
Two hundred {200) dollars on the first day of
three hundred (300) dollars on the first day of
1886.
rty of the second part agrees further to keep
aid buildings and grounds in repair ; to keep
ice to said grounds unobstructed ; to cut the
remove all rubbish which may obstruct the
oot-ball or interfere with any athletic sport.
VLso AGREED, that the keeper employed by
of the second part shall have the right to ex-
persons from the ground, except the members
ub and their introduced friends.
ITNESS WHEREOF, thc parties hereto have
leir respective committees to sign these presents
ly and year first above written.
•TEVENS Inst. Athletic Association,
By Henry K. MORRISON, Pres.
5T. George's Cricket Club,
By a. H. MORAN, Director.
isence of
• Bromley.
THE "ECCENTRIC."
The long awaited Eccentric is at last before us.
As regards the cover, we candidly state that
it is not up to our expectations, and yet, had
we considered a moment, we would have seen
that the choice of cover was the most sensible
that the editors could possibly have made. For,
the tendency on the part of college annuals for
the past few years has been toward great out-
ward adorning and little substance within, fol-
lowing the old adage, "beauty is only skin
deep." The choosing of this modest cover is
a token of rare forethought on the part of the
editors of the Eccentric, The heights of gaudi-
ness and attractiveness will presently be
reached, and then the former will give way to
extreme plainness, which serves only to set in
relief the reading matter within. If for no
other reason the Eccentric should gain friends
on account of its modest appearance — but
this is only one recommendation.
" The Steps," as a frontispiece, is particu-
larly taking, from the fact that this spot is the
favorite place of resort for all the students,
taking the place of a " class fence." It would
appear from a glance at the class history of '89
that this most enterprising class has adopted
the plan of giving away a chromo of the his-
torian with every history. 'Sq's anthropologi-
cal researches are worthy of note. Pausing
for a moment to note the events of the year,
the wish arises that these records might in-
deed be "chronical."
But what shall we say concerning " the Al-
umni and Undergraduate Enterprise ? " Only
this : that it evinces an interest on the part of
the alumni which we had hardly been led to
expect — but more of this subject elsewhere.
The next cut to attract our continued atten-
tion is the "Strain Diagram." It cannot be
described ; it must be seen. In the same cat-
egory of things which, in order to be appreci-
ated, must be seen, we mention " Surveyors*
Notes" and "The End of the Book."
" Don't " should receive the careful attention
of all alumni, real and prospective. It gives
good counsel to the undecided, and acts as a
check upon the boundless spirits of the newly
fledged M. E.
In summing up this brief review, we men-
tion the distinguishing features o( the book :
a very plain cover; unexcelled printing, with
slightly too numerous panellings ; an unusual
amount of literary matter of good quality ; paper
of fine texture but not quite thick enough.
Such is the Eccentric^ kind reader. We place
it commendingly in your hands.
96
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
At a recent meeting of the Stevens Institute
Athletic Association, a committee on the con-
stitution was called upon to report. This
committee was appointed at the regular meet-
ing in February for the purpose of collecting
the various amendments of the constitution
which had been adopted from time to time
and inserting them in their proper places ; at
the same time to copy it so it could be printed
if desirable, or at least, to get it in the proper
shape for reference.
This committee failed to do anything what-
ever, claiming that the matter they had to
work upon was far loo meagre or too badly
mixed up and that they were consequently un-
able to do anything at all.
■ This report was accepted and the committee
discharged and the prospects are that the con-
stitution will remain as it is at present in such
form that not even the executive head of the
association can flounder through its labyrinth.
Will not some enterprising persons under-
take a difficult piece of work, of either
straightening the constitution as it is now so
that it can be followed, or draft something
that will put our association on a firmer basis
than that on which it now stands.
It seems absolutely absurd to think of ap-
pointing any more committees to do the work,
for several have undertaken it and ail have
signally failed.
One radical defect is the method of arrang-
ing games with other colleges, etc. All cor-
respondence is supposed lo pass through the
hands of the Corresponding Secretary, who
has absolutely no authority to make any
arrangement without first consulting the Cap-
tain of the team in question and Board of
Directors, which always occasions more or
less delay, especially if this Secretary should
receive a telegram to fix a date, and the
Captain with whom he would have to con-
sult should be a man who lives out of town
and cannot possibly be seen until the next
Either the Corresponding Secretary's office
should be abolished or should be given
the authority to arrange all dates.
A great deal more could be said on this
subject, but a lack of space prevents.
ball
BASE-BALL.
If there is not more interest taken in base-
year than there has been this
would recommend that it be allowed to die, as
it is useless to attempt to support a learn when
the interest of the college is centred on some
other sport. The only match games played
were with the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute.
Score 4 to 3 in favor of Polytechnics, and Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania — score iz to a iafavoi
of University,
SPItUTG GAHES.
The spring games were held on June isl
and were successful in every respect save one
which we will leave to the imagination of the
readers te find out. The records are given
l1
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THE STEVENS INDICATOR,
97
LACROSSE.
:n the last lacrosse season closed, great
were expected from the Institute team
jar, judging from the fine record they
ade for themselves in the Oelrich cup
ment, but alas ! the team was fated to
le valuable assistance of seven of its
2st players. Thus weakened, the chances
ccess were greatly lessened. Twelve
k^ere, however, gotten together and had
jnced to play a very good game when
Lson closed. The outlook for the com-
ir is very bright, and if regular training
am practice can be successfully inaugu-
there is no reason why Stevens should
ce a high stand in the lacrosse world,
joined is the record for the season:
, Princeton vs. Stevens, at Princeton, 5-0
, Lehigh vs. Stevens, at Bethlehem o-i
, Harvard vs. Stevens, Hoboken 4-0
N.Y. Lacrosse Club vs. Stevens, at Hoboken. 6-0
, N. Y. University vs. Stevens, at Hoboken.. 3-1
FOOT-BALL.
accounts of the different games played
11 were given in the October and No-
r numbers of the Indicator. A further
sal of the reasons why they were won
St is unnecessary. We would only re-
ind that the foot-ball Captain, for the
5 year, pick out the team as early as
le, then select another to play against
gular team. By so doing the team will
e somewhat familiar with their positions
ill not act like total strangers to the
ivhen they go into the field. Appended
I scores of the different games :
Yale vs. Stevens, at Hoboken 55- o
Princeton vs. Stevens, at Hoboken 94- O
Princeton vs. Stevens, at Princeton 72- o
Lafayette vs. Stevens, at Easton 16- 12
Graduates vs. Stevens, at Hoboken. ... 4- o
Univ. of Penn. vs. Stevens, at Hoboken, 22- 9
Lafayette vs. Stevens, at Hoboken 22- 18
Lehigh vs. Stevens, at Hoboken 4- 20
C. C. N. Y. vs. Stevens, at Hoboken. . . 0-162
Brooklyn's vs. Stevens, at Brooklyn. ... o- 14
1 ♦ » I
he last regular meeting of the Indicator
2 following officers were elected for the
gyear
. .Page, '87.
's Reid, '88.
Sec Fuller, '88.
Treas Finch, '89.
Members Moller, '87 ; Mack, '89.
COMMENCEMENT WEEK.
PROGRAMME.
Sunday, June 13. — Baccalaureate Sermon. Rev. J. E.
Rankine, D.D., of the Orange Valley Congregational
Church, 1st Presbyterian Church, cor 6th and Hudson
Streets, at 4 p. m.
Tuesday, June 15. — Class Supper. Hotel Bruns-
wick, at II p. m.
Wednesday, Tune 16. — Dr. and Mrs. Leeds' Recep-
tion to Senior Class.
Thursday, June 17. — Alumni Meeting at 2 p. m.
President and Mrs. Morton^s Reception at 4 p. m.
Commencement Exercises, German Club, cor. 6th and
Hudson Streets, at 8 p. m. Senior Promenade at
Institute, at 11 p. m.
class supper.
Toast Master Edwin P. Mowton.
toasts.
The Faculty C. Russell Collins.
Alma Mater Wm. W. Randolph.
Athletics Emile M. Cotiart.
Mechanical Engineer Edward J. Cook.
Class '87 J. Day Flack.
Our Prospects Edward T. Birdsall.
The College Press Wm. Fuchs.
Panoramas John R. Slack.
The Ladies Cornelius J. Field.
reception committee.
Norman St. G. Campbell, J. Day Flack.
Robert N. Bayles, Carter H. Page, Jr,.
Ma3^. C. Beard. Wm. E. Quimby,
Hermann F. T. Erbbit, Lemuel W. Serrell, Jr
COMMENCEMENT EVENING.
order of exercises.
Overture " Aradella " Flotaw,
PRAYER.
Introductory Remarks Ppresident Morton
Selection " Gypsy Baron '* Strauss.'
Salutatory Address Henry B. Everhart.
Aria " Flying Dutchman " fVagmr.
Review of Theses Prof. De Volson Wood.
conferring of degrees and announcement of
PRIZES.
Valse " Amorita" Czibulka,
Valedictory Address C. Russell Collins.
College Airs Selected Dilltr.
Francis X Diller Director of Orchestra.
THESES SUBJECTS.
Antonio Aguilera, Jr.
Sugar Manufacture.
John T. Arnold.
Design of Railway Deck Bridge.
9»
THE STEVESS INDICATOK.
tujtnacau m ric Fiea^ U E3cc«r:i ■rtiw Fane <rf
U«Aa£K^ OxjtrK-VA of the Oqfia-
C. k. Cf/LU*y
Oii^'l^ Al'.aciBeB'.l for CiUc IUilw*r>.
E. J- O-'/t
I:.i}«nB«Bla: De-.eTB>BKyju '>( Malleable Can Ins.
E. M, O/TWM,
Mssvlu^sre 'rf Vdlr'W Oniaed SofU.
ri. h. EvtaHACT.
AulrM> "< CtuBiflnau ILulniM} tSodcc Jenc^
C. J. flMJ*.
I*nifn f'jr Pfur TnM Kailnw] Bridge
Wm. F'XMt
kcrie* 'j( tlx: nuliiBCfy rn the Efjuiublc Bail(liB(,
New \-iA fi'itj.
Ovllil'^ fJtBttCA.
Kcview lA Itivignig Macbtnn^ ia aw on ihc I'liun
fMuL
Wn. L. llAyxu.
Same u kUavcIl.
J Mr.K IIkiueuj-
Sunc «* rocht-
F. E. jACE»0!t.
Sireu 'in ihe Crank I'in.
W. K. KlKr^
I'cU'ileuni Illuaiinuiufi.
Fkamcii. La Iv.iktl
Kcvurw Iff ItnmhUD't AaloDiUic Enpne.
M- G. Llu-V.
Samv »■ Ij t'',inle.
J-i
MEi
ie<l I,
J-un.|. »i v«ryir-B '•I*"'
(;m.k(:b K, Mbtamk
T>:>.l <>r lirice \V.,tihii>|><..n |>i.m|. nnd iH.ili-r
S.:>.iM: I-m„|.i'ii: Walion. Ne* V.,tk.
F. N. M'.Rii.N.
Saiiic as Metcalfe
K. !■. MowjoN.
I)«<ii)rn an'l Omsi ruction of 4'i ft. Launch.
II. K. M'JKKIiMIN.
Sniiif- n. McCuIlifcIi.
.Mri.li.in lent Ke)inrBlion of Ore>.
W.C. I'ftsi.
i<<-vi<-w of 'I'nisE. over .Skatin(r kink and i
L. G. I'AISE,
Siimra^CoUini.
W. W. KANIUIMlf.
( 'i>iii|Mvriviii of the <:oKl of ranning the cal>
on ilic clrvalecl nivl in llolxiken lor three
lyiiesofcncinei.
E. F. wmxa.
TxitKHs- fMi-h^iJT— ini^ra^l _
111 iiaiillliiliiail if Biafca Ihi
Wbu does a eai CO a>der the hM« fci?
It ooM S4-XX1 to pMKai i&e Cecek fl^ m
fdtjyoaa^ bdie* «efe icoeMlf ■
BoMca College. — £s.
TIic picscnl Hairaid ocw ■ de^^aA Iw
be one of the tncM uoUtge e^tiwr
A poem of one haadicd Dacs !■
«T«r7 SenioTof Tiimtj CoO^a, E^
Presidenl McCoih. of PriDcetoa. ii ocd
(talemenl that he has aTCnfed m ba«n «
during the wbcric of bU proicssiaBal life.
The graduating cUn at Wctt Poini aaHbas ««^
eight, which U said lo be no) ool; the laixett, h« a
highe^l in efiiciency. ctci gndoaled fn«) that iaifh
At a recent meeting of ihc IntenoIIegiatc Fool tt
A^Hiciation. the following changes ia the iilijif nl
were made : The opposing cenue raih — — "^ WM
the ball until ii has been pnt io pl^; a kiek-oM anM I
by a drop or a place kick.
The instantaneous photosraphs, lakm at IhcfilU
ahiiw Sherrill of Vate in the lead in the hnndreri jh<
da'h in the Inter-coUegiatc game*. The refctce hnvt
ackn»wledgcd that the Yale man woo the nc^ brti
lipH^hl ihdl il kaJ Mtrr go to Harrar^. This k M*d
a l)ad showing for the referee's sense of jaitics.
The prizes won at the last intercollegiate fidd MM
ing were distributed as follows:
Harvard s '
Vale 4 4
University uf rennsjlvanta 3 o
Columbia 3 o
Amherst o ■
Harvard thus took the cup for Ibe sercDlh time,«>
will now hold it permanently.
iNbinUit Of ihUHNOU
JUNIOK DEP*RTMEr< r
sehioii pepartmeht
\Ml l»t.LEl<Fj|
S7S.0O PER ANHUM>
- ■ - SISO.OO P€R ANNUM.
1 V_-' ^-^ L_, J
.UNT.
nfliug^ [fullrijs nub ^niirters, jShtioimri^ ^him) JEn^hits ntib ^^ol
The P.iolB ^t Hunt Leffel Turl^Juif \Vuti?r-W'h.3»*L,
iUFCRIOR MACHINE MOLDED GEAR1N(
spur, Bevel, Angle, Morliss, Hellcsl, Double Helieal and Worm,
ORrVINC PLANT FOR CABLE RAJJ-WAYS,
|UM!)IIKKRV TOR 71.0SR KILLS 3BAIH ELEVATOBS larDITIJ LtllD '
-comtespoNQEHci
r
THS
jQ[let/ef|S jBdiGalSF.
HOBOKEN, N. J., OCTOBER, i8S6.
No. 7.
SONG OF THE MOSQUITO.
I never drink behind [he bar,
I seldom quafT Apotlinar,
Red blood is good cnoueh fir me ;
Who cares, for naught alone is free !
Soon Bs the evening star prevsil.
I lake and barb tny wondrous lail.
Add choir aw«y »5 loud and prim
As any young-eyed cherubim I
I tan the Lady of ihe Lnke ;
1 am a liger in the brake ;
I am B ghoul from Jersey fens ;
M]f point Is migtiUer than the pen's,
^Philadtlfhia NfzL
It is a preva]ent opinion in our civilization,
nceable back to some ardent lover of savage
tfe, some hunter, some person whose plain
ticality and roughness found no recog-
^tion in more cultivated surroundings, that
■i North American Indian, and, indeed, the
bvage in general, is more acute in discerning
l^tural phenomena than his more highly-civil-
led brother; that his simplicity, his disregard
F the psychical elements of existence tits htm
r a more thorough enjoyment of the present
te; and that the heaJthful exercise of the
e^'entually brings him into a close,
j^ simple, relation to the Deity, that
l^auufest unknown which all peoples reverence.
a a matter of fact, however, the comprehen-
ios of the savage is comparatively dull ; his
iDge of discernment by means of the senses
B limited ; and, above all, gifted with a vivid,
tbeit rude imagination, he misinterprets that
■bich he does discern most wofully.
in the first place, his plan of philosophy is
"|i error. He places implicit confidencein the
truthfulness of his senses, and
latever is lacking to his sense of complete-
S is supplied from the fertility of his own
In other words, his philosophy is
Ibythologic ; it is a series of events explained
lalogies from his own experiences. In
accordance with this method he observes that
he has volition and the power to execute it ;
therefore any manifestation of power implies
a person exercising volition. In case he can
discern no such person he invokes the aid of
his imagination. Thus the Deity of the sav-
age is a creation of his own mind, and, since
no two minds run in exactly the same chan-
nel, the result of this process is the building up
of a vast and mysterious pantheon, which be-
wilders the searcher after truth and leads him
to say, " Everything is God ! " This is the
first and natural stage of theology or philoso-
phy, whichever one may choose to call it.
In this first stage, liecasMhHsm, as J, W.
Powell prefers to call it, everything has life,
everything is endowed with personality, will
and design ; animals, trees, rocks, rivers, stars,
all things inanimate think and speak, love and
hate. The Indian gives to all material objects
the attributes which he himself possesses, and
thus endowed they ever conduct themselves
so as to "point a moral or adorn a tale." The
folk-lore of the Indian is almost entirely made
up of these solutions of natural phenomena,
repeated during the long wintry evening to
the eager group about the uamp-fire. The aged
narrator receives all the veneration and respect
due to one of his age and wisdom, and as he thus
reads from the unwritten Bible, his stories re-
mind one strangely of the myths of Hindoo
philosophy or the less mythical accounts of the
Hebrew chroniclers. In the philosophy of the
Indian, everything is known ; in that of civi-
lization, nothing. For the former it is enough
to know that all mysteries are the whims and
fancies of the gods — gods whose attributes
are human ; for the latter to know that any
effect has been traced back to its first cause
is matter of profound congratulation.
But, if we are desirous of tracing the
growth of the pantheistic theory from its first
stage, we shall find that in the last analysis it
leads the student into monotheism. Let us
trace the path of progress. Adopting the
names suggested by Powell, we consider the
next stage, soOtAfism, which differs from the
first in the exclusion of inanimate objects.
Here, however, men and animals are placed on
a footing of equality. Marvellous tales are
spun out in regard to the adventures of cer-
tain animals, and some peculiarities of these
creatures are adduced as lending sufficient
authenticity to the account.
The next stage, pfty si theism, is that in which
the powers and phenomena of nature, instead
of being considered as manifestations of Deity,
are themselves personified and deified. This
stage appears in great prominence in the
Greelc and Roman mythology, in which the
winds, the rainbow and the dawn were per-
sonified. Closely related to this period and
shading into it is the fourth stage, that of
psyckolhchm, in which mental, moral and social
characteristics are represented by deities.
These two classes constituted the larger part
of the Greek mythology, and also, though to
less extent, of that of the Indian.
We have briefly traced the growth of myth-
ological (as distinguished from scientific)
philosophy. Let us see what it all leads to.
In the first place the tendency is to limit
the number of deities. Beginning with the
doctrine of pantheism, the lesser gods were
successively dropped out until the philoso-
phy reached a point which is best explained
by comparing it with the mythology of Greece
and Rome. As a result those deities remain-
ing take on new attributes. After a time it
becomes necessary that these deities, in form
and characteristics like men, should appoint a
chief to govern them. Thus there is at least
one supreme god presiding over the court of
lesser gods. Continuing the sorting process
still further,atimewillcoiiie when the Manitou
will preside over empty benches; and when
that time shall have arrived, the Indian will
have reached the true conception of the mono-
theistic idea. At present he is busily engaged
in dismissing gods by whom his father swore;
he is elevating the characters of the remaining
gods; he is drifting slowly toward monotheism.
It cannot be denied, however, in spile of this
progress, that the Indian is much more in-
teresting and instructive in his polytheism
than he ever can be in monotheism. Chic.
PERSIAN SPORTS.
At the present time of the year, when all
athletics are so thoroughly enjoyed by pro-
fessionals and amateurs alike, one is likely
to inijiiire whether or not such a multiplicity
of delightful and amusing sports has always
been enjoyed. We will find in the histories
, that each one has sports
peculiar to itself, and without a very vhii
imagination can almost picture to oureelves
Adam and Eve disporting themselves in the
entrancing garden of Eden.
Sports, of course, like all other things, ad-
vance with the centuries, and where we now
have the most ingenious and elegant con-
trivances for muscular culture, in former days
the simplest and most primitive appliances
were used, but notwithstanding our advan-
tages, one very rarely if efer sees such speci-
mens of magnificent developement as we read
of in the early stages of mankind.
Among the earliest nations of which we
have any reliable records, are the Persians,
whom we will find to be rather indolent with
regard to field sports, and, in fact, to anything
which requires more than ordinary exertion.
They were a people easily amused \twK posi-
tively averse to amusing. Their principal
amusement was "the hunt," and so we find
that the three things taught to the Persian
youth were, "to ride, to shoot, and to speak
the truth." The writer has before him at the
present time, a "cut" taken from a piece of
rock sculpture at Takt-i-Bostan, representing
a hunting scene, in which the "king" is the
central figure; he is surrounded by a host of
retainers, both men and women, the men to do
the hunting and the women to follow in the
path of the hunters to make music for the
king, who is mounted on a noble steed and
attended by a slave holding an umbrella-like
shield over him, presumably to protect his
majesty from the sun. To aid in the antelope
hunt falcons and greyhounds are made use of,
the former to harass and the latter to chase
the prey. Besides the antelope and innumer-
able other small game, the sportsman will find
tigers, leopards, and panthers in the Mazan-
deran forests.
If one wishes though to recall a thoroughly
Persian sport, let him imagine himself to be
wandering along one of the isolated Teheran
streets — in the distance he is likely to hear a
merry jingling of bells, and if he stops to
ascertain the cause, he will soon see a typical
" sport " wandering along with languid steps,
leading after him by a small cord, a fighting
ram ; this man will meet another and after
bets, anything from a dinner up, have been
made on the powers of the two rams by the
owners, the animals are made to fight ; a great
number of people make their living entirely
by these fighting rams.
Although the youths are brought up "to
speak the (ruth " they do not seem to think
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
i6i
iing the truth has any connection with
y whatever, for while engaged in ** fly-
pigeons, the one aim is not in the ex-
' of dirds but in the cunning of the
s," who, by various means, try to confuse
3onents birds so that the two flocks get
to such a degree that when they return
one or the other of the owners is likely
e gained a few, because the poor birds
r confusion go to the wrong home. This
f of pigeons is considered honorable,
order to regain the lost birds, the owner
pay a great price to the fortunate thief,
ther sport is horse racing, carried on
)ally in the large cities, a race course
; been constructed — that is, the largest
have been removed — ^just outside of
an ; in these races you will generally
at the Shah of Persia has entered about
lird of the horses.
withstanding the great interest taken in
ree or four kinds of sports just men-
, the Persians think more of their indoor
ments than of their outdoor exercises ;
luently you will find in every home of
onsequence, a gymnasium, where the
are taught to leap and wrestle, and in
lost other things calculated to strengthen
n life, for when they become of age it
? their turn to be amused by the youths,
5 now their elders time to be amused by
In addition to the gymnasium, the
ns employ boy dancers and singers, who
not a little to the amusement of the
j1 people. 'J'he games of chess, checkers,
ammon, cards, and " last but not least,"
le played with nuts, which very nearly
ponds to our games of marbles, com-
the list of Persian sports, in all of which
o cheats the most is considered not only
ghly honesty but also the best player,
cen all in all, the Persians have no games
:an be compared to ours, and an old
sh resident of Persia has laughingly said
* attempting to pen anything about the
les of the Shah's subjects would be
a good deal like trying to manufacture
hing out of nothing." C. E. H.
«^ » »
APPEARANCE IN MACHINERY.
I. — Shape.
nachine is a construction consisting of a
ination of moving parts with their sup-
and connecting frame-work, calculated
:eive force and motion and apply them
to the production of some desired mechanical
effect or work. Since the entire object of a
machine is to do work, the consideration of
prime importance is that it should be strong
enough to do its work well. The next requi-
site is, that economy of material and fitness of
position should be observed in the construc-
tion. These two points are generally con-
sidered ; when they are not, the machine fails
in some way and becomes worthless. But
these two requirements should be inseparable,
and when regarded as such, the shape of the
machine assumes exactly the correct propor-
tions and presents an appearance pleasing to
the eye, and we call it beautiful.
Beauty is an assemblage of graces or prop-
erties which pleases the sight. The old Roman
school used, with great precision, to define
beauty as "multitude in unity." All men
really desire that a thing should look beau-
tiful, but in their laziness, prejudice, or un-
willingness to admit their false ideas, they so
twist and distort the notion of beauty, that
the result is dire confusion. Now it is not
beautiful to have an assemblage of graces
indiscriminately placed together ; it is the
assemblage that should please the sight. If
the work itself is not beautiful, it cannot be
made so by heaping on ornaments, and trying
to call the eye away from the defects of the
machine, to rest upon its decorations. In re-
gard to shape we must consider three points.
If, without offending the eye, we can take
away anything, add anything or substitute
something else in place of some parts, then
the machine is not properly shaped. A cor-
rect interpretation and a strict obedience of
the laws in regard to strength and economy of
material and fitness of position will result in a
well-shaped machine. This necessitates sim-
plicity of beauty, not extravagance of design.
The introduction of superfluous lumps and
knobs, far from being ornamental, serves only
as a means for catching and retaining dirt,
and making it almost impossible to keep a
machine clean.
It is the genergj plan to introduce into
machine construction, the principles and em-
bellishments used in architecture. We must
draw the line somewhere between architecture
and machinery. The principles of architec-
ture, as far as they are the underlying princi-
ples of strength and correct disposal of material
for supporting weight, should be rigorously
adhered to. Buildings and machinery, how-
ever, are distinctly separated from each other
in further respects. The principles of beauty
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
call for widely different designs in shape,
because the appropriateness differs. A
machine is not a mere passive structure like a
building ; it must do work, and, therefore,
must involve different principles. ,
If we turn to nature, we can, as in every
other case, find an embodiment of the very
principles which we are investigating. Take
for a model, one of nature's machines, that
noblest of the lower animals, the horse. The
horse moves and does work, machines move
and do work ; the horse is just strong enough
for his work, machines should be the same ;
the horse possesses perfect beauty and sym-
metry, so should machines. But in the horse
we find all these combined in an essential
whole, and in our machinery we should strive
to follow the same plan of perfection. If we
are to use the force and material furnished by
nature, we must also follow the plan of con-
struction and shape supplied to us. Did you
ever notice the neck of a fine draught horse?
It is a maenificent model ; a strong, firm, and
graceful taper, starting from the shoulders
with the evident of reaching and supporting
the head. Not only is his neck strong enough
for the intended use, but it looks so. We find
no beading, no scroll work about it, and yet
the perfect shape is beautiful.
Every support and part of a machine
should not only be ample, but must appear
ample. All the parts should constructively
grow out of its one central body or frame, and
so fill out the complete idea of usefulness,
strength and beauty. We are fond of confin-
ing ourselves to " arcs of circles and straight
lines," but we see in nature that where one
line or curve is better in a certain place than
any other, that will be used and no other will
do. Everything is in perfect symmetry, and
everywhere is the material used to the greatest
possible advantage, showing simplicity, unity,
and grace of outline. Then let us do away
with cornice-work, beading, and bracketing in
our machines. Mouldings must give way and
clean, graceful curves take their place, for
only such are appropriate.
When we introduce these rules into our art
of machine making, aijd observe purity, pro-
priety, and precision in all parts, then and not
until then, will we have machinery whose
shape will reflect credit upon us, and the laws
of nature, so pure and perfect, will not be so
set at defiance.
Al.BlTAN.
DEFINITIONS.
The word definition may be said to have a
double usage. Without attempting to give the
exact meaning of the word I will try to indi-
cate briefly its two uses. Of these one maj
be called its scientific or logical use, the
other its vulgar or common use. By the first
a word Is defined, according to logic, by giv-
ing the distinguishing marks of its proximate
genus and its specific difference. Of neces-
sity this implies a definition of the next proxi-
mate genus, and so on up through the s}'s-
tem to broader generalizations, till we reach
intuitive ideas which are indefinable.
The indefinability of these ideas, however,
does not necessitate indehniieness, but sim-
ply implies that there is no higher genus to
which to refer them. If, for instance, we at-
tempt scientifically to define ''thing," we will
find it rather difficult, if not impossible,
"Space" is another intuitive idea. But yet
every one knows what a thing is and what
space is.
The common or dictionary definition, on
the other hand, simply gives another word for
the same thing, or describes it by a number of
words, the meaning of which, it is presumed,
is known to the reader. Such definitions
serve their purpose in giving a person an idea
of what is meant by the word, but, if examined
scientifically, most of them would not stand the
teat. The importance of perfect definitions in
science can scarcely be overrated. I have
heard one of the most eminent physicists ol
this country say that he was almost tempted
to believe that the whole end of science was
the obtaining oi perfect definitions. The his-
tory of the growth of the science of heal will
furnish a very good illustration of this facl.
Hypqthesis after hypothesis as to what heat
is has been set up, only to be demolished lo
make way for newer and belter ones, each
succeeding definition being wider in its gen-
eralizations and more comprehensive in the
deductions to be made from it, till now we
have a definition, which seems to be as wide
as the universe in its generalizations, and cap-
able of being applied to every individual plie-
nomenon, the modem scienceof astronomy was
founded. When Newton made his great ad-
dition lo the definition of gravitation, or rather
used the definition, as it was then known to
him, amplified it, so as to take in the whole
universe and every individual particle in it.
The old philosophers, working on the wrong
idea of the nature of a vacuum, came to some
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
103
Dsurd conclusions, till Torricelli set them
►y giving it a true definition, and by de-
the force which is developed when a
n is made. These illustrations might
Itiplied indefinitely, but enough have
dduced to show, in some measure, the
ance of 2l perfect definition,
re are several rules which it is necessary
2rve in defining. The first I will men-
), that the definition must not contain
ng defined. This is radical, and if not
ed ruins a definition as such. . As an
:e, one of our professors defined " force '*
lumber of pounds;" "pounds ** as " units
:e," and thus we have ** Force is a num-
units of forced One of the students
1 it as that which causes change of mo-
'hich is much more nearly correct. The
ion, which is now pretty generally ac-
by philosophers, is, " Force is cause of
;." The idea is so nearly intuitional
is exceedingly hard to define. Another
f defining is, that the definition must
:lude anything that does not rightfully
under the meaning of the word, nor
e anything that does. This is the most
t part of defining, and at the same time
►St important. Another of our profes-
efined matter as anything that affects
ises. As a dictionary definition, this is
i criticism, and probably answers the
es for which it was given, but as a
one it is open to objection on the plea
ig too narrow. I will take the illustra-
lich was given.
e look at a table, we can see it ; if we
it, we can feel it ; if we strike it, we can
; and there is also an odor emanating
t which we can smell. Now, what we
en we look at a table is reflected light,
ffused light of the sun is reflected from
)le, and, entering our eyes, causes the
on of sight. By this sensation we know
le table is there ; but that is all. We
rtain colors, alternations of light and
and we infer that the object which
this is a table. Again, when we strike
)le, we do not hear the table, but the
caused by the blow. Again, we do not
the table, but the odor emitted by the
Another requirement of a definition is
should not be negative. Telling us
thing is not, does not tell us what it is.
so evident as not to need an illustra-
5ome ideas can, however, with difficulty
ned in any other way ; as, for instance,
ss is absence of light. It is a question
among philosophers whether such ideas can
be defined at all. Darkness is not a real
thing, but only the absence of something.
DiER BURNROTH.
« ^ » *
NEW DEPARTURE IN CHEMISTRY.
Changes in the curriculum of our . college
are generally looked at askance, but the one
that has been made in the Department of
Chemistry at the beginning of the new year is
a decided exception. It is a step in the right
direction, and one that will not only have the
approval of all those interested in the welfare
of the Institute, but will give great satisfac-
tion to those whom it more nearly affects.
The change is a two-fold one. In the first
place a separate depratment, to be known as
that of Analytical Chemistry, has been formed
with Dr. Stillman at its head. By this
means the departments of Practical and Theo-
retical Chemistry are separated, and each,
having a head of its owa, can be more thor-
oughly carried on than as heretofore, when
both were under the guidance of one man. It
allows each professor to give his whole time
and undivided attention to his department,
and the benefits resulting from such a course
must and will speak for themselves.
The second, and by far the more important
change, is that of giving the seniors an addi-
tional and optional course in laboratory
work. After practical engineering, probably
the most important factor in the education of
a mechanical engineer is a good knowledge of
analytical chemistry. It is of use to him in
a variety of ways. It will enable him to grasp
problems that come up, in the study of the
metallurgy of iron more readily, and which he
would otherwise have to drop, and it will give
him a decided advantage over those ignorant
of the methods of chemistry. It will help him
to lay a solid foundation upon which to build
up a more thorough knowledge of the subject,
and should he ever find himself better fitted
for other work in later years, he could turn
more readily to the new profession.
More than that, engineering has long been
considered a practical profession, but it is
now very rapidly becoming a truly scientific
study. The problems that comes up at the
present time in engineering require solutions
which go hand in hand with physics and chem-
istry, and the deeper an insight one has in
these sciences the better able will one be to •
cope with such problems.
IQ4
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
Perhaps the best test of the value of the
change is the fact that more than one-third of
die present senior class have signified their
intention of taking the course. That this is
no small sacrifice on their part will be better
understood when one recollects th^t the
seniors not only have as many afternoons oc-
cupied now as the other classes, but that their
studies include the most difiicult of the whole
course — those on heat, and more especially on
dienno-dynamics.
It is to be hoped that the change will be
3ude permanent. Those classes which, under
die new arrangement in mathematics have sur-
veying in the first year, will have the time now
devoted to surveying in senior year to devote
CO chemistry.
May the good work continue. A. B.
■« ^»»
«• No. X, C. & A. R. R."
At the end of the entrance hall of the Na-
cionol Museum at Washington stands the
venerable locomotive " John Bull." It is very
qutet« taking no part in the curiosity and
bustle of the sightseers constantly passing and
repassing, and hearing the uncomplimentary
remarks on its antiquated appearance and pe-
culiar construction with utter indifference.
It does not belong to this age, mechanically
speaking, and evidently looks upon the men
,UKi things of the age as upstarts and un-
worthy of its notice.
A^ it stands on the section of the track on
which it once ran, who knows but that its
ihoukihts go back to the time that it was
xuch a wonder to all. To the autumn day,
titl\ 'live years ago, when it made its first trip;
lo the gentlemen of the State Legislature and
•hs' throng of people to whom it was the
vcJ>tvc of interest ; to the two coaches, that it
^licw with such ease, and the whiskey barrel,
w»ih Us piece of leather hose for a connecting
pipe, whirh did duty as a tank on that mem-
oi.iMc lurasion. Who knows but that its
tu^tv old mind is still occupied with these and
vvlhk^r reminiscences of youth, and that some-
where in its worn-out frame, from which all
lufcce i>f ft re has long since vanished, a heart,
v^ A primitive and peculiar pattern perhaps,
^\^wetimcH (juickens with mortification at be-
m^ rtnUu-ed to the position of a mere curiosity.
Vtintened on the forward end of the boiler
^ % eard with the following inscription : "Lo-
Mkwiotive ' Tohn Bull,' or No. i, Camden and
Railroad. Built in the spring of 1831,
ison & Son, at Newcastle-on-Tyne,
under orders from Robert L. Stephens, Pres.
C. & A. R. R. Shipped to the United States in
June, 1831 ; received at Borden town, N. J.,
in August, and run early in September."
As the people pass, some stop and read, dis-
playing by their remarks such dire ignorance
of the railroad architecture of half a century
ago, that the old engine shudders, and devout-
ly wishes it had been left to end its days in
the round house on the New Jersey meadows,
which sheltered it so long.
For the benefit of those interested a second
card, bearing a description of its construction,
is hung in a conspicuous place, and reads as
follows: " First one used on C. & A. R. R. On
November 12th, 183 1, in the presence of the
State Legislature, with Isaac Dripps, engi-
neer, and Benj. Higgins, fireman, it was run
with a train of two cars on a track similar to
that on which it now stands, three-quarters of
a mile in length, near Bordentown, N. J. In
use from 1 831 to 1865. Altered and added to
in many ways. Original dimensions : Weight,
22,425 lbs.; boiler, 13 ft. long, 3J4 ft. diam. ;
cylinder, 9 x 20 in; 4 drivers, 4J^ ft. diam.,
with outside cranks for connecting parallel
rods ; cast iron hubs, locust spokes, tire of
wrought iron shrunk on, ^ in- thick, 5 in
tread, flange, i} in. deep ; 62 flues, 7) ft.
long, 2 in. diam ; furnace, 3 ft. 7 in. square
by 3 ft. 2 in. high ; steam ports, i>< by 6J
in. ; exhaust ports, i} by 6^ in. ; throw of
eccentric, 3 J in. ; grate surface, 10.08 sq. ft.; fire
box surface, 36 sq. ft.; flue surface, 213 sq. ft"
Those who succeed in reading all this an-
nouncement probably fare better than the
rest of their kind in the estimation of the lo-
comotive, as they, at any rate, show an interest
that cannot be mere curiosity ; but if it feels
any less disdain for these few persons it does
not show it. It remains as silent and un-
moved as ever, dreaming of other times and
other men.
And so the day wears away and evening
comes on, and the grey-bearded checker of
canes and umbrellas puts on his hat and goes
slowly homeward, and the great doors are
locked, and the night watchman begins his
rounds, and still the old locomotive dreams
on. G. B. M.
» <♦»<
A WINTER NIGHT EPISODE.
Night was coming on rapidly, and the up-
train on the New York Central had just
started from the little station. Slowly the
bright patches of light moved up the track,
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
'05
apparently sliding along the frosty and glisten
ing rails. It was a bitter cold night in mid-
winter. The ice had formed a thin crust over
the water in the long narrow tanks which, be-
ginning just above the station, stretched away
for a thousand feet up the tracks, between the
rails.
As the local was rounding the curve half a
mile north of the station, the agent closed his
telegraph key with a sharp click and joined
the shivering group about the red-hot stove,
remarking : ** The Western Express, due at
Poughkeepsie at 6:41, passed there at 7:43.
She was due here ten minutes ago. She'll be
along here a humming pretty quick." As he
uttered these words a prolonged whistle, borne
on the north wind, reached their ears. " She's
passing Peekskill now," said the agent as he
rose and went out. The others quietly drew
their wraps about them and followed him out
to the platform. A minute later the head-
light burst into view around the curve, giving
to the ice coated troughs and rails the appear-
ance of a perspective drawing in silver.
Directly below the curve was a down-track
signal post operated by a flagman stationed at
a second curve, south of the station. The
en^ne had just passed that post when the
purple signal light flickered, and changed to
green. This the watchers saw ; and they knew
that in place of the clear white star, which a
moment previous had gleamed northward, a
blood-red signal sent forth its warning glare.
But the engine of the fated train had passed
the light five seconds too soon !
What was the danger ? None, save the
solitary faithful flagman, knew. A sudden
hope rises in the breasts of the watching group :
Will the engineer slow down and scoop water ?
The agent alone knows better No. 39 never
takes water between stops, and her famous
camel-like quality is hurling her on to de-
struction at the rate of sixty miles an hour.
Up from the south, between the rails, rushes
a lad. Now, as he passes, the agent sees him
and cheers him on, at the same time shouting
warnings to him. On, on conies the rumbling
whizzing line of brilliantly lighted, elegant cars.
The youth falls on his knees beside the rail
and bends low over it. The engine is almost
upon him ! Will he never cease his fumbling !
Instantly the engine reaches him. There is a
flash and a loud report, and a limp and bleed-
ing form sinks into the hollow between the
tracks. Then comes a short, sharp blast of
the whistle. No. 39 shakes and throbs under
a reversed lever. The car wheels are held in
the grasp of an iron hand, and from them the
sparks fly as from the revolving stone of a
scissors-grinder.
After sliding a short distance the train stops
and the train officials and the terrified spec-
tators hasten to the aid of the brave youth.
Carefully they carry him into the warm room
and examine his wounds. He has fainted from
excitement. A deep gash in his forehead and
the singed hair and eyebrows betoken the
work of a railroad torpedo, and his left hand
is bruised by contact with the pilot of the
locomotive.
All this occurred eight years ago. To-day
if you were to enter the private office of the
general superintendent of transportation of a
railroad having its centre in Western New
York, you would see a young man whose hair,
brushed over his forehead, conceals a deep
scar, and whose left hand is a trifle misshapen.
If you were to become at all intimate with this
gentleman, and accept an invitation to visit
him at his home,' you would see upon the
parlor table an ornament in the shape of a
section of a rail of silver, upon which rests a
signal torpedo of satin and gold. He will tell
you that this ornament is the symbol of his
success in life. The story he told is fresh in
my memory, and it is this.
Eight years ago he was studying mechanics
in the evenings, after his machine shop work
was done. The night in question he had run
down to the flagman's shanty to make some
inquiries in regard to certain engines. Walk-
ing homeward up the track, he paused to
examine a switch recently put on the line for
trial. With his limited knowledge of engineer-
ing, he detected one or two points where
improvements might be made. Stooping closer
to examine, he noticed to his surprise that a
bolt had in some way become detached from
its place, leaving a short rail free to spread
when the next train came along. Just then he
heard the whistle of No. 39. He ran back to
the shanty and fearing he was too late, seized
a torpedo and started up the track, with the
results above mentioned. The railroad authori-
ties inquired concerning him, and they, with
the aid of the passengers he had so daringly
rescued from death, enabled him to pass
the next four years at one of the finest techni-
cal colleges in the country. Upon graduation
the New York Central took him into its em-
ploy. Now, he is the superintendent of con-
struction of a road under the control of the
Central. •
Taking the rail tenderly in his hands, he
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
showed me, as be would show you, the gold
plate upon one end, reading :
Presented to- by
the passengers of the Chicago Ex-
press, as a testimonial of their
apprteioHon of his bravery, in
risking his life f opiate a torpedo
on the troth, that he might save
the lives of others.
And on the other end, inscribed with sunken
gold letters :
January nth, i8y8. Chic.
OUR GLEE CLUB.
Whether or not there is in existence a S. I.
T. Glee Club would be a subject for some
sharp New York detective. There may be
found, peradventure, some few traces of its
existence and perchance a record of some of
its few proceedings during the last collegiate
year. But where are the results ? Using the
favorite formula of one of our professors,
we might express it ^ | P ^ O, or the sum-
mation of ununited effort equals a complete
fizzle. The forces were all weak and all pull-
ing against each other. We have had a glee
club once and a good one ; it seems a pity
that it cannot be kept up. There is no other
phase of college life that the public at large
takes so much interest in as college music and
songs. Those of our number who are fond of
singing miss very much this only opportunity
for the enjoyment of the pleasure in college.
The man who has music in him needs practice
just as much as his athletic fellow student
needs training for our foot-ball and lacrosse.
These exercises may make us healthy, strong
and manly, but singing, in addition to the
benefit derived from the cultivation of the
vocal organs, leads us into the art of music,
where we feel the influence of the great mas-
ters who have gone before us, by coming into
a fuller realization of the more delicate shades
of feeling and a keener appreciation of all the
nobleness and beauty which the art possesses.
But more than this, when rightly experienced,
it casts an inexpressible influence over our lives
and thoughts, toning down the discords and
lifting us up out of ourselves, as it were, into
-ome higher realm of nature, nearer to the
^Ot, Even in the rollicking strains of our
i songs we experience more fully a
college spirit, and seem to find in their
an expression for the good fellowship
and fun-loving disposition which so charactn-
ise college life. When we take away our glee
club we take all this and much more, whidi .
nothing can replace.
Our Institute is small compared with mu;
other colleges, still we run foot-ball, lacrosse
and base ball teams, have college societiK,
two annuals and a monthly periodical, and at
one time supported a glee club. On account
of our small numbers heavy duties often tall
to the lot of an individual man, and it
becomes necessary that one person has to en-
gage in all of these things. Now to attend to
them all properly and not neglect one's
studies is sometimes an impossibility. So
lack of time has been in some cases a well
grounded reason for absence from rehearsals
and lack of interest. It seems, nevertheless,
that we should be able to find a few interested
men who cin ^jiare the time to keep up this
deserving enierpnse. Perhaps, a less number
of men would be easier to handle. We lack
a leader who is interested ; we remember with
pleasure and satisfaction the proficiency ac-
quired under the leadership of Mr. Brainard,
and cspfcijily of Mr. Camp, and there seems
to be no good reason why we may not find
another leader who will wake us up and
thoroughly drill us. More important than all
is the well grounded necessity of havinf the
parts properly balanced. Because we hive
six good heavy second bases it is not neces-
sary that we try to support a club of twenty-
four members, but if on the contrary we have
only two or three good first tenors, there
should only be on the other parts just enough
men to balance them. The leader should have
the choice of all (he members so that no
member of the club will feel obliged to vote for
this or that man because he is his friend.
There is certainly material enough in out
college for a good medium sized glee club,
and we hope those who are interested wil^
make strenuous efforts and will receive every
encouragement from the college at large, to
proceed with preparations for a concert. Ou*
concert year before last was a great success
and if some one who plays the banjo will ir^
terest himself, organize and drill a go(7
banjo club, we can have a greater succe^
than ever this season. A. .^.
The University of Egypt, at Cairo, in 98—
had an attendance of over 4,000 studen
Ten years ago it had a faculty of 231 [ir—
fessors.
THE STEV^ENS INDICATOR.
107
THE NEW THEATRE.
THE DIRECT PRODUCTION OF STEEL,
\cw theatre recently opened in Ho-
by Mr. Robert Wareing^ satisfies a
want.
ront is in brick and terra cotta, and
f ornamented. On entering the audi-
he incline of the floor strikes us as
usually steep. This arrangement has
ntage of enabling the spectators to see
er the heads of their neighbors, and
lem an opportunity to riew the stage
performing the gymnastics usually
y to one sitting in the rear.
Irop curtain represents an Oriental
indsomely painted in dark and deli-
». There are four prosctrnium boxes,
IT one, being divided by a screen of
:s interlacing. There is but one bal-
It this extends some distance back,
berefore very roomy. The ceiling is
lely painted, with a large and beauti-
;tal chandelier in the centre. The
re papered to correspond with the
;s of the ceiling. The colors are very
I subdued, the whole interior decora-
hibiting taste and artistic arrangement,
ts are upholstered with red plush, and
ly and comfortable. The building is
throughout with electricity, and the
of good size.
milding is certainly well calculated, by
f its many excellent appointments, to
1 an assemblage of the elite. It de-
much favor, and will undoubtedly
much. The music is good, and the
plays selected is good. It thus fulfills
Liirements of a first-class play-house,
•ut before the public as such. When
he students are desirous of being en-
i for an evening, they can do no better
itronize the new theatre, where they
I to be entertained, and entertained
K. D. T.
■» # » «
Troy Polytechnic contains the follow-
Mow doth the Freshmen student,
Improve each shining minute ;
He goes prowling round the town,
To see what fun there's in it.
Then wlien exams have come to pass,
On a soiled card he sees his name.
And he wonders how it happened —
He didn't come to do the same.
The latest proposition in this connection is
that of Mr. James J. Shcdlock of London*
The principals involved in Mr. Shcdlock's
process consist in the use of reducing gasc*
produced by the decomposition of steam in
conjunction with a bath of molten metal, which
he employs to take up the metals as they arc
reduced from their combinations. For demon-
stration on a practical commercial scale, ex-
tensive premises have been taken at Blackwall,
and machinery and smelting apparatus put up
there for carrying out the process,
Mr. Shedlock's method of treating ores for
the separation of their metals, is carried into
effect by passing the ore in a finely divided
state through a bath of molten metal main-
tained at a temperature necessary to insure its
combination with any free metal contained in
the ore. But as most ores contain metals
associated or in combination with the metal-
loids, it is necessary to decompose such com-
pounds in order that the metals may be freed
and in such a condition as to readily combine
with the metallic bath.
This is accomplished by forcing streams of
reducing gases through the bath of molten
metal simultaneously with the pulverized ore.
For the production of these gases steam is
passed through super-heaters, the outlets of
which communicate with gas producers, which
produce carbonic oxide and hydrogen gases,
which are conveyed from the producers by
tubes into the bath of molten metal at the
point of entry of the powdered ore.
In consequence of the affinity possessed by
these gases for the metalloids, and also by
reason of their high temperatures, the metallic
compounds are decomposed and the volatile
constituents of the ores are vaporized, which,
with the earthy portions, rise to the surface of
the bath of molten metal. The gases and
vapors are conveyed through flues into
chambers where those that are condensable
are thrown down, the permanent gases escaping
into the chimney shaft. The metals, as they
accumulate in the bath, overflow into receivers
through spouts, and as they collect are run
into ingot or bars. The ores of iron are
stated to be most readily reduced, and its
direct conversion at one operation into the
different carbides of iron, varying from the
softest cast iron to the mildest steel, is easily
accomplished. — Iron,
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
IBtk OP EUCH MONTH. DURING IHE COLLEGE YEHR,
INDICATOR PUBLISHING COMPANY,
^teVBD^ In^titiatsB of Tecjoologj.
CARTER K. PAGF.,J«.. -Bj, E.m^->n-^lu(f.
LUCIUS T, FINCH. "90. Baiiiua Mamngir.
ARTHUR A. FULLER, '83, Exckarngt BJilar.
BURTON P. HALL. ■!».
HUOKRTS. WVNKOUP, 'SB.
WILLIAM W. SCHENCK. '88.
THOS. A. VAN DER WILLIGEN, "SB.
TERMS: — II.H par YMr, In Admnca. SIngIg Ci)p)r, SO Cenll.
Extra eepits lan ie dlaituJ al LHliin'i ieelt stert,
Het9ien,N.J.
Sn^ierihers mil pleast immtdialfly notify m 0/ any
tMantt in ihtir addnitu or failun to nctii'i tAt paptr
rrgularfy.
Tkt viler'i full namt, ai null as iii NOM DK plume,
muit aecmfuHf lit article, as assurtuuf of xood faith
and rtUaHbty ; but U U'ill not be puitijhal, unltsf dt tired.
Exchang/s, coHtrihtdietu, saiicriflifHi, adt-rrliiemtnti
and all elfurmmmuakatiaHi by mail, skoutd tt addratat
to The Stevens Indicator, Sieveni InstitHle, Hobolun,
N.f
LttUrt far ptthluatian should h/ wrillm legiily in inh,
Hpett Bttt lidt of the paftr ; uhUss loo long, thry mill tt
initrled 01 ivritttn.
The edilori do not hold thrmielvei reifoHsHle far ofin-
ient exprissed in literary articles gr (ommunieatieHs.
rN consequence of the confusion attending
the removal of the effects of the Indicator
from the Institute, the books were more or less
misplaced, and we fear that our exchanges
and some of the subscribers have suffered.
We will be h.-ippy to supply* those with the
June issue who have failed to get them. Com-
munications addressed to the exchange Editor
will receive immediate attention.
fiCCORDlNG to a prediction in the June
number, the Indicator was to be taken
apart during the summer, and thoroughly
cleansed. Such has aclually been the case,
but the " several modifications of design "
have not yet been perfected. That these
modifications of design ttnll enable it to work
more efficiently when they are carried nut,
can only be ascertained by experiment. We
can, however, assure our readers of a vety
great change, and that at no distant date, de-
tails of which will possibly be made public in
the next issue.
TIT the last regular meeting of the com-
J* pany, held on May s8th. a resolution
was adopted to the effect that two vacan-
cies were to be left in the ranks of the
company, providing that such were made
by resignation or graduation, to fill which the
Freshman class were to elect two of their
number before Oct. 15th following. Bui they
have shown no desire whatever to comply with
this resolution. What is the matter ? Is the
class of '90 behind the class of '89 in this
respect ? Last year there was a great deal of
complaint among the Freshmen, because they
were not represented on the Indicator board,
and now that provision has been made foi
such from the very beginning of the term,
they do not take the trouble to chose their
representatives. Perhaps they regard the h-
DICATOR in the same light as the Athletic
Association. ;
IT has been rumored about College that iht
Freshmen are going to boycott the Ath-
letic Association because they think they have
been badly treated by being the first class W
incur the trebled initiation fee and the doubted
yearly dues. Let the Board of Directors lii
a day on or before which the dues and initia-
tions must be paid to even gain admission id
the grounds to lake part in a practice game-
This would undoubtedly bring members to
their senses. That the method of chans^S
the initiation fee and yearly dues was irregub',
no one will deny ; but it was allowed by the
presiding officer at the regular meeting of the
association, and what can be done abonl J'
now?
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
109
;ome one would examine the Constitution
; Athletic Association they would find no
lent about yearly dues. Any student
as been duly elected can, upon the pay-
of $1.00 initiation fee, be entitled to all
ghts and privileges of membership, is the
f the article relating thereto. There is
itely no provision made for charging
' dues. What a sad mess this Constitu-
lust be anyhow !
[ONG the contributions to this issue was
one entitled " What to Say, and How
^ It." The whole line of argument hinged
2 fact that no provision is made in the
ute course for training the students in
mation, and suggested as a remedy that
course of Belles Lettres be extended
:he Junior year, and that certain hours
d be set aside not only for declaiming
eciting the writings of others, but also
laking impromptu speeches on subjects
lated by the professor." It was decided
e Board not to publish this, as sufficient
Iready been said about this department.
: do not, however, consider this propo-
at all practicable, partly because there
olutely no time in the Junior year to be
ed to such, and partly because the stu-
should have had such training before
ing the Institute in the preparatory
lis, where ample provision could be made,
efficient time devoted to such as would
it of material advantage,
e tendency is to raise the requirements
dmission, which should tend to increase
/erage age of the Freshman class. This
d keep the prospective Freshman longer
hool, where sufficient time could be de-
to declamation to make it of use to him.
mpossible to crowd all the requirements
good academic and scientific education
a four years' college course, especially
the preparation for college has been
;d to what is actually necessary for the
nee examinations.
To the Editors of the Indicator :
It seems that Professor Leeds has decided
to continue that very excellent method of rec-
itation in chemistry by means of set ques-
tions. Although this plan is so popular among
the students, and is productive of such good
results, yet a great deal of time is lost in rec-
itation hours by the dictation and copying of
the questions.
I suggest that the sets of questions for the
Junior and Sophomore classes be printed and
supplied to each class at the beginning of
each year's work ; no student could object to
being charged a sum sufficient to pay for the
cost of printing.
This plan would assuredly meet with the
approval of all, and would be eminently suc-
cessful. ** Junior."
< 4 » «
'75-
Theo. F. Koezley is draughtsman for A.
Schweizer, Architectural Iron Works, N. Y. C.
•78.
A. De Bonneville, formerly in the draught-
ing room of Delamater Iron Works, is now
salesman for the works.
'80.
Theo. A. Elliott has established himself
as Consulting Engineer, in Buffalo, N. Y.
'84.
G. J. Roberts is with the Chicago, Burling-
ton and Quincy R. R., at Aurora, 111.
'86.
E. T. Birdsall is with the Manhattan Ele-
vated R, R., N. Y. City.
E. F. White is Superintendent of the Ber-
gen Point Sulphur Works, at Constables'
Hook, N. J.
C. R. Collins, United Gas Improvement
Co., Philadelphia.
Cornelius J. Field, with Edison Electric
Light Co., N. Y. C.
Francis E. Jackson, with Edison Lamp
Co., Harrison, N. J.
Fred. N. Morton, with United Gas Im-
provement Co., Philadelphia.
Otto F. Pordte, with Johnson Foundry
and Machine Co., Harlem, N. Y.
William F. White, with Ames Iron Co.,
Rochester, N. Y.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
BRErfiEBRIRG RGITES.
The Brooklyn Union states that Chicago is
to-day manufacturing more Bessemer steel
than any other city in the world. The North
Chicago Rolling Mills are turning out 175,000
torts of finished steel rails every year ; the
Union Steel and Iron Company, 1^0,000 tons
a year, and the JoHct Steel Company, which
is virtually of Chicago, 115,000 tons. Chicago
is some 450 or 500 miles nearer than Pittsburg
to the great Western market, Crom whence
comes an ever increasing demand for the
product of furnaces and rolling mills.
Messrs. Oldham & Richards, of Man-
chester, have patented a new pulley for
driving planing machines, which requires no
Strap fork, and takes the place of the three
pulleys, usually required for driving, reversing,
and loose turning. This is effected by carry-
ing within the pulley a couple of friction cones
actuated by a lever from the machine. The
pulley itself constantly runs loose, and as the
machine has either to be driven or reversed,
one or other of the friction cones is brought
into action. By this arrangement the driving
strap constantly remains on the one pulley,
and a considerable saving of wear and tear is
effected, whilst there is no loss of time in
Stopping the machine for changing the strap
from one pulley to another, and the driving
gear is brought within smaller compass.^ Van
Noitrand' s Engineering Magatine.
According to the Electrical World, Professor
EUhu Thomson, of the Thomson-Houston
Electric Company, has invented a method by
which metal wires can be welded together
without the application of external heat, but
simply by passing strong currents of electticity
between the joint of the two pieces to be
welded.
The advantage of electrically welding joints
is, that the joints are homogeneous and of the
same thickness as the rest of the wire. When
large conductors are to be soldered, one of the
main difficulties has been, that the external
heat applied to the joint runs back along the
conductor and into the protecting tube. With
Professor Thomson's apparatus no such diffi-
culty need be expected, as tlie heat is localized
to the fraction of an inch on either .side of the
joint. For this reason the invention should
also he very valuable in joining the ends of
steel band saws. — Seieatifie American.
A New Process of Round Fobcikgs.—
Mr, George H. Simoods, of Fitchburg, has
invented a machine for the purpose of forging
iron or steel in any form which can be turned.
This involves an entirely new method of work-
ing iron. Instead of being hammered 01
rolled to the desired form, the mass of red hot
metal is placed in a groove in two plates which
are moved in reverse directions ; the grooves
are in primitive form at the places where liie
iron first enters between the plates, and along
its course these grooves become more closely
in conformity to the shape which is given to
the finished piece, which is twisted into shape.
The process is apphed with success to the
manufacture of conical shot, forged out of
steel, the British Government having given an
order for 500,000 shot, which are being made
by the English representative. This process
is applied to the manufacture of any small
iron or steel pieces of turned form. — Van
Nostranits Engineering Magazine.
Calorifec Power or Coal Gas. — The
AnnaUs de Chimie et de Physique recently con-
tained a description, by M. Witi, of his ex-
periments for determining the calorific power
of coal gas. The method pursued was that of
Berthelol, and consisted in the instantaneous
combustion of an explosive mixture in a shell
plunged in the water of a calorimeter, the ele-
vation of the temperature of which could be
exactly measured. A number of trials led to
the determination, for a well-purified gas.ofa
calorific power of 5,200 calories per cubic
meter of gas at o" temperature and 760 milli-
meters pressure, saturated with aqueous vapor.
This result was obtained from a gas mixed
with six times its volume of air. Before pas-
sing through the scrubber and purifier, the
same gas had a calorific value of 5,600 calor-
ies, so that it lost something by purifying. If
the heat developed by the explosive mixture
of one volume of gas and six volumes of air
is taken as the standard for comparison, it is
found that the same gas gives 5 per cent, more
heat when fired with 1.25 volumes of oxygen.
With II volumes of oxygen, on the contrar)-,
the calorific power is less by 4.6 per cent, h,
therefore, decreases with dilution in oxygen.
It is not so when gas is mixed with air. When
diluted with 11 volumes of air, the calorific
value is greater by 2.5 per cent, than when
the gas is^ixed with only six volumes of air.
Thus the effect of the extra dilution is in-
versely to what might have been expected
upon genera] principles.
THE S TE VENS IMDICA TOR.
kable feat of tracklaying was per-
cently on the New York Elevated
perhaps not more remarkable than
rs which have not been reported,
' of note as showing what can be
practice and will. Tracklaying on
s carried on under difficulties, since
at 1% to 5 minutes' intervals at all
le day and most of the hours of the
at 15 minutes' interval throughout
naining hours.
/ to what might be expected, it has
I preferable to doall ordinary track-
.aylight, despite the more frequent
■obably the very best trackmen on
oads would think they could do
latever in the way of changing raits
;nger trains running five minutes
on a continuous bridge affording
irrowest and most precarious foot-
rains are passing ; but this is what
y-five minutes on the morning of
ih, a gang of eighteen men changed
1 1,000 feet of track by taking out
Id 50-poiind rails and putting m as
ound rails in their place, completely
.'m and inserting Bush interlocking
; joints, a]l without delaying a train.
3 an average of forty-three seconds
out, and forty-three seconds for
I rail, including all delays ; but ten
taken out and replaced in three and
utes, or ten and a half seconds for
and as much for replacing ; and
ils were taken out, replaced by five
and the latter fastened, all in fifty-
Is. — Railroad Gazette.
pretender is well-known as " SliK*"* ;"
seer should now be called " Wiggins."
religion, the first is a schemer;
; to soothsay, (he last is a dreamer.
it-fingered persuasion is still among
ly one could succeed in detecting
of its representatives, if. there be
one, his name would be put down
lis of the Institute, in boldest type,
: benefactor.
It will be well for the members of '90 to
familiarize themselves with such expressions
as "Von lathe ;" " Look you ;" " Turn it this
road," and a few others of a similar character,
as they comprise the peculiar technicalities of
the S. I. T. Machine Shop, and a full under-
derstanding of them is essential to a success-
ful shop course.
It was highly entertaining to observe the
capers of the Freshmen on seeing their names
posted as admitted. Many were intoxicated
with delight, and went around congratulating
Seniors and Juniors indiscriminately. One
particularly effusive Freshman slapped a
Junior on the back, and exclaimed : " Hooray,
old boy ! I'm admitted on trial, too !" The
Junior crawled under the library table, and
tried to think of the innocence of the Freshc-
man.
Now is the time when the Freshmen should
brace up and join the Athletic Association.
They all enjoy using the grounds, and it is no
more than fair that they should assist in keep-
ing the same in order by joining the Associa-
tion. The dues are small in comparison with
the privileges received, and are within the
limits of every one's pocket. The same ap-
plies to upper class men as well, only it is di-
rected to the Freshmen^ because they are as
yet unacquainted with the various institutions
of the college.
An '88 man came very near fainting dead
away a short time since. It seems that be
brought an umbrella one morning, and forgot
to take it in the afternoon. It consequently
remained in the hat-room over night. The
next morning, before coming to the Institute,
he remembered his umbrella, and began to
consider what color his new one should be.
On eptering the class-room, however, he was
almost horrified to find his umbrella where he
had left it. It so unnerved him that he fell
down in an epileptic fit, and would have gone
in a fainting fit if O, W. J. hadn't been handy
with a little stimulant.
It has always been a source of unalloyed
pleasure to the students to buy lathe exercises
weighing eight or ten pounds, at rates that
almost give a man the heart disease, and then
to scrape off about four ounces in completing
the exercise, leaving the rest of the pieces
lying around to be sold over again. Our un-
alloyed pleasure would be changed to pure
delight if they would only get in a few " point-
ing" exercises. When such an exercise is
mennoned in the schedule, the student is taken
to the tool-room, and allowed to point his
finger at a casting of the desired shape, (or
which he is charged two dollars and a half.
If every third exercise could be made a
"[loint" exercise, the lathe course would be
sufficiently joyful.
Professor W. was discussing couples a
few days since. He said a couple was a twist,
and very shortly became enthusiastic, and ad-
vised the class to " try it on somebody,"
whereupon the class interpreted him rather
too literally, and began lo twist each others
ears to such an extent that it almost caused a
The roster of the Junior class has been
changed somewhat from that of last year.
The work is distributed a little more evenly
than previously, and gives about the same
amount of work to be done each day; which
is mwre desirable than taking but a little one
day and a tremendous amount the next. The
change of shop-work from Saturday morning
to Friday afternoon is a very agreeable one to
the whole class. It gives those living out of
town the privilege of having Saturday lo
Ihemselves ; whereas, if they are obliged to be
in on Saturday morning, what would be left
of the day would not be of much service.
The optional course in cheraistrj' for the
Seniors has necessitated the discardmg of di-
visions in the Junior class, as the two after-
noons thus left open are needed for the
Seniors. Outside of a little crowding, how-
ever, there is no disadvantage in this ar-
rangement over the old one.
We are indeed much flattered to have the
Freshmen send us contributions and take a
kindly interest in our welfare. We feel the
deepest gratitude for such well-meant endeav-
ors, but we fear there will be a great loss of
life in the Freshman class if we receive any-
thing more like the following :
Said S. Chester de Lyon ■■ Oh dettr !"
I'm gelling c]uile reckless I fear ;
I've revelled as late
As quarter pisl eight
A.ii<I drank a. whole glass ofbirch beer.
Said Sheeny Foster vas der cosla
To go into dal vorler,
'Twill cost you, sir, to lake a bath.
A little silver quarter.
So bellup me ! by Gosh, said he,
I really vas loo poorer ;
I keep my little kvohtet, sir,
Und svim me in der sewer.
The annual class elections have taken place,
with the following results :
■87-
President, Bayles; Vice-President, McElroy;
Secretary, Flack ; Treasurer, Moeller ; His-
torian, Page.
•88.
President, Whigham ; Vice-President, Tay-
lor ; Secretary and Treasurer, Lopez ; His-
torian, Hall ; Foot Ball Captain, Uhlenhaut;
Chaplain, Rev. A. A. Fuller.
President, Hoxie; Vice-President, Ohphant;
Secretary, Hiiler; Treasurer, Peck; Foot Ball
Captain, Stevens.
'90.
President, Finch ; Vice-President, McCul-
lough ; Secretary, Whitlock ; Treasurer,
Torrance ; Foot Ball Captain, Moinan ; Base
Ball Captain, Marshall.
During the early part of the fall term there
is always much speculation about the football
team that will be put in the field, and a good
deal is always said about the prospects of the
present compared with that of the preceeding
year. It is to be greatly regretted that 4
suitable person has not been provided to cMch
the team, which is generally acknowledged lo
be the only way of getting a team of any de-
scription in working order. The effect of baving
no such person was very decided in the caseof
the Glee Club last year, its utter collapse be-
ing the result, but this in the case of lootball
is an extravagance not to be dreamt of ai
Stevens. 1-ast year the team started out with
every encouragement, but they soon lost heart,
and in ten matches only three were won. The
cause of this discouragement was heightened
in no small degree by the unfortunate choice
of referees and the failure of the captain, on
one occasion at least, to remove such— this
however has been discussed enough — it ougM
to be a lesson to prevent hereafter the choice
of one who Is not known to be acquainted willi
the rules in vogue at the time. This year's pios-
The stmvMns indicator.
>I3
undoubtedly not as good as last, but
)leiity of good material at hand if it is
ized. The plan of forming a second
;ive the regular College team practice
excellent one, only let the principle
d out so that each man on the regular
be accustomed to his place and know
vhat is expected of him. It has been
about college that a series of matches
: played for a pennant, open to teams
various classes, this would certainly
in interest in the game, heretofore un-
by arousing class feeling, which is
xtinct, a moderate amount of which
)e far from objectionable. By all
st the Board of Directors take the
1 hand without delay, provide a pen-
. officially announce the fact that there
pennant to be won by the lucky team,
ipetition between the teams of '87 and
lisesto be sharp enough to be exceed-
e resting.
roposed change in the Constitution of
?iation was well put, i.e., " that the Cor-
ng Secretary be one of the Board of
s," only it should have gone further
uded from the Board the captains of
football, and lacrosse. Where can
association be found that the baseball
osse captains have a say in choosing
ball team and vice versa? These
are field captains, and their authority
)e limited to such, and not extend to
inistration of the affairs of the associa-
•oes an occasion ever come up on
Board composed of three, cannot act ?
le the case, five would hardly be better,
chances are that the whole Board
)t be gotten together ; the inevitable
either case would be the calling of a
aeeting of the association. That the
inding Secretary should be on the
s very evident to any one who is ac-
1 with the delays that are necessarily
ed by some one of the Board having
up the Corresponding Secretary, in
inform him of the action of the Board,
authorize him to make this and that
ication.
eorganization of the Board can be ac-
led in several ways, either limit the
:o the President Vice President and
•nding secretary, or abolish the office
sponding secretary, letting the duties
devolve on the vice president as clerk
oard, and include the treasurer ; or, if
onsidered necessary, let the board be
composed of the president vice president treas-
urer and two directors, to be elected at large as
of old. The change in the amount charged
for the initiation fee and yearly dues was un-
doubtedly the best action that could have been
taken. The regular fall election resulted
in the following:
Firestone, '87, President.
Bayles, '87, Vice President.
Crisfield, '87, Recording Secretary.
L. W. Anderson, '88, Cor. Sec'y.
B. P. Hall, '88, Treasurer.
The captains chosen last year for the com-
ing season, were :
Hart, '87, Football.
Flack, '87 Lacrosse.
Drummond, '88, Baseball.
Princeton vs. Stevens.— October 9th,
1886, at Princeton. Princeton Rushers —
Spalding, Moore, Cowan, George, Irvine,
Cook, Wagenhurst; quarter • back, Sloan;
half-backs, Ames and Price ; back, Savage
(Captain). Stevens' Rushers — Flack, Drum-
mond, Hart (Captain), Ferris, Firestone,
Phelps, Coker ; quarter-back, Lopez ; half-
backs, Cuntz and Taylor ; back, Uhlenhaut.
On account of the excessive heat it was de-
cided to play half hour innings instead of
three-quarters.
In the first half Princeton made 9 touch-
downs, one of which resulted in a goal, scor-
ing 38 points ; Stevens o. During the second
half Princeton scored so points more, making
a total of
Princeton .- 58
Stevens o
During the second half. Flack had his eye
injured to such an extent that he had to leave
the field ; his place was taken by Erben.
Hodge, of Princeton, was referee, and was
very satisfactory.
Princeton vs. Stevens. — October 13th, at
Hoboken.
Princeton. — Rushers — W. Spalding,
Moore, Cowan, George, Irvine, Cooke, Wagen-
hurst ; quarter-back, Sloan ; half-backs. Price
and Ames; back, Savage (Captain).
Stevens. ^Rushers — Coker, Phelps, Clark,
Firestone, Hart (Captain), Moinan, Crisfield;
quarter-back, Lopez ; half-backs, Campbell
and Cuntz; back, Uhlenhaut. Referee, R. P.
Bradford, of Princeton.
Princeton -59
Stevens. ~ o
"4
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
The general playing of the team was a de-
cided improvement over that of ihe Saturday
before ; the quarter-back, however, showed a
decided lack of cool-headedness, which is so
essentia) to the position.
The most exciting event of the game was a
run by Campbell, who carried the ball within
a very few feet of Princeton's goal line ; the
ball was fumbled, however, when put into
play, to such an extent that Princeton got it.
As usual there was the same trouble about
the referee, who, although it .was Stevens'
choice, was a Princetown undergraduate.
On Saturday, October gih, the " Crickets"
of Stevens played a game at Prospect Park
with the Brooklyn Hills, with the following
result :
Crickets as
Brooklyn Hills 6
The Crickets, last year, were composed en-
tirely of fellows from the Stevens High School.
This year they are the same with one exception,
some of whom are now in the class of '90.
m^m
The Mechaiikal Engineer has many pieces
of interest, but we think an article like the
'■ Steam Yacht Races" rather detracts from
the standard of the paper.
The NorthweiUrn has a well written article
headed " Anti-Fraternity." The writer's
points arc ivel! taken and his arguments valid.
It is hoped that it may slimulale fraternity
men to root out some existing evils.
The collegiate periodicals are all full of life
and interest as they begin a new year. We
hope that this energy will not be dissapated
but that it may be a stimulus to good work,
both in study and sport, to all our fellow
students.
Van Nostrana's Engineering Magazine for
August, has an interesting article on " Flame
Contact," by Thomas Fletcher, F. C. S.,
which is as sensible as it is ingenious. The
October number has a discussion on thermo-
dynamics, by our worthy Professor De Vol-
son Wood, M. A., C. E., which it would be
well for all who have some knowledge of the
subject to follow. An address by
Professor, R, H. Thurston, delivered at
Rose Polytechnic Institute, June z3d, is an able
discussion of the " Nation's Great Problem."
It appears in Van Neslran^s for October.
The Eleefrician and Eleetrieal Engineer for
October is full of good reading for ail those,
interested is electricity, Wc note in particu.
lar an article describing a novel arrangeineQl
for regulating a number of pendulum clocks
placed upon a circuit, by means of a currcot;
from a standard timepiecie, which curreoX:
changes the centre of oscillation of the pea-i
dulum in the secondry clocks, if they are fait:
or slow. This rectification is just what any
expert would do to a timepiece, but it is per*
formed upon a number of clocks without the
necessity of their being opened. It is being'
introduced by the Synchronous Time CoiB'
pany, of Boston.
Professor : " Some plants grow better
night. Can you name any ? "
Student: ''Hops." — Ex. "*|
Prof, (to Sub. Fresh.); "Can you tell I
from what race Napoleon came !"
S. F.: "Of Corsican."
" What is it you like about that girl ?" aik
one young man of another.
" My arm," was the brief reply.
The highest chimney yet built was com-
pleted a short time ago at the Mechemich,
Lead Works, in Germany. The entire hei^t;
of the structure is approximately 440 feet, tl
feet of which is under ground.
Professor in Physics : " What would
do before it could be drawn perfectly Jw\
tal by means of two forces acting on the
extremities of the rope, at the same level and
in opposite directions?"
Bright junior: "Sag."
An alloy obtained by melting 10 parts
tin with 100 parts of aluminum is said to
more easily fusible and to be less affected by
re-agents than pure aluminum. Moreover it
can be soldered as easily as brass without aaji-'
special preparation. Its specific gravity is 1^. '
^^^^^H ^^M
tiei/e^^s J[Rdi(iati©p.
HOBOKEN, N. J., NOVEMBER,
THE EYES AS INDICES.
Tbe eyes, like an index, are changeful wiih thoughl,
Emotioos are lihawn. and their impulse i; caiiglit,
If the owner be wilting or no ;
They are chestnul, or grey, or haicl, or blue,
Also bUck, some insist, but that is not Irue,
Or, at most, accidentally so.
The eyes tinted brown are lively and fmnk.
They indicate forces of very high rank,
•Of emotion, and intellect, too;
They draw from deep founlains of feeling anrl ^ense
In fondness and purpose Ihey 're always inlenst,
■Tliey are stable and lovely and true
The eyes colored bine have sweetness and calm,
They drop at your glances, and bear off the palm.
With the mass of infatuate youth.
They are liquid, and clear, with mildness of ga/e,
And, if Ihey have anger, they smother the blaze,
And gel credit for patience and truth.
Tbe gray are reierved, whatever llie thought,
If Ihe will be to hide it, in vain it is sought,
For 'tis hid 'neath insciutable mask ;
Beware of the gray, or lake n deep draught.
If yon trifle, we warn yon, in spile of your craft,
Vour adventure will prove a lost Insi:,
At.IQUIS,
APPEARANCE IN MACHINERY.
' we have designed a machine, and
I! taken care that its shape is everything
lean be desired, both for utility and ap-
ince, we must be just as careful in the
i of our work. Being dependent upon
B the machine is to stand, and what are
e its surroundings, linish must vary great-
t different machines. Finish is inde-
mt of the shape and is added to fill out
uaty to completeness, but we must not
Btdiange the shape or interfere with utility,
'i here that bare utility may be adorned
^the machine made bright and chcL-rfu!
^•i and if judgment is used it can be
$ without spoiling the original shape.
That we may not be loo hasty in our con-
clusions, let us turn again to our model in
nature. We have notit:ed the neck of a fine
draught horse and have seen how free from
ornamentation is the' simple shape. Now,
however, in looking at the finish, as we may
call it, we see a smooth coat of hair, in some
horses it is a bay color, in others black, gray,
efc, with a flowing mane falling to one side.
But we will observe that the hair is finer and
more glossy in some places than in others ; in
our machinery we may follow this disposal of
smooth surfaces and of color. The mane of
the horsv, however, is to ^ive living i-\|]rL-ssion
to the animal, and when we t:ome tif such a
feature in nature, whose existence is explained
by the word, life, we can proceed no further
in our adaptation to machinery.
Fini.sh may be given to a machine in two
ways : by removing a film from the rough sur-
face, or hy adding a film or coating. The one
is generally dnne in the manufacture of the
parts, while the other, in the form of paint,
lactiuer, etc., is put on after the whole is put
together. In employing the first process, it is
positively wrong to turn useless grooves and
ridges on simple parts finished in the lathe.
Unless it is necessary to turn off or polish
any part, it should stay in the rough ; where
there is to be no contact, a smooth, painted
casting is in better taste than a polished sur-
face, for it shows that there has been no ex-
travagance of labor. The same style of finish
should prevail in all parts having the same
character, so that if we usu rounded corners
in one place, such should be the finish
throughout.
In painting, there is no reason for confining
ourselves to sombre black ; it makes our
machinery look so dingy and so void of inter-
est, that it is enough to make us feel gloomy
ourselves. Occasionally we are startled by a
glaring green color or a bright red staring out
with ugly inconsistency among our machines.
A happy medium would suggest various un-
obtrusive colors that could be used to advan-
tage ; for instance, what could be more hand-
some than a deep olive, a rich chocolate, or a
very dark red ? in regard to embellishments
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
a clear, untarnished background is never im-
proved by covering with an elaborate sprawl
of yellow paint or gilt. A machine, with
spider webs or cbromos painted on it is far
from beamifiii. A neat and plain device in
gold leaf is the purest style thai can be used,
and it will have a finer elTecl, and cost but
little more than the extravagant display of
bright paint. In the finish that we give lo our
machines, let us have quiet, clean elegance,
rather than loud, wasteful display.
\Vhen men are to pass the best part of their
time among machines, they onght to get both
work and pleasure from them. Beautiful
things make all who come in contact with
them happier and better, so that beauty in the
end becomes useful. The order, system, and
neatness of symmetrical and beautiful ma-
chinery has a good mora! effect upon those
whose work is connected with it ; it will edu-
cate them, elevating their tastes and con-
ditions. Men under these circumstances can
produce belter work ; to come down lo a
practical point of view, this product will
command a better price in the market, and
the extra outlay that we have made will result
in a larger income. These are the only
logical conclusions at which we can arrive.
Albitan.
MICHAEL FARADAY.
Michael Faraday was born at Newinglon,
Surrey, on the aad of September, 1791. His
father, a very poor blacksmith in feeble health,
lived in London not far from the shop of
George Riebau, bookbinder and bookseller,
and into this shop Michael went at the age of
thirteen as errand hoy. At the expiration of
a year, in consideration of his faithful ser-
vices, he was made an apprentice, no premium
being required by Riebau. During the
seven years of his apprenticeship, he read with
much pleasure the scientific works that came
into his hands, notably " Conversations on
Chemistry" by Marcet, and the electrical
treatises in the Eocyclopaedia Britannica,
performing what experiments he could with
his extremely small means. He also made an
electric machine, using first a glass bottle,
and afterward a cylinder of glass, as well as
some other electrical apparatus.
He frequently attended lectures on natural
philosophy, in the evenings, and, in order lo
be able to illustrate his notes, took drawing
lessons. Toward the end of his apprentice-
ship, he was enabled, by the kindness of one
of his master's customers, to hear four lectures
by Sir Humphry Davy. Upon these he took
notes which he afterward wrote out as fully
as possible, illustrating them with drawings of
apparatus, etc. These notes he sent lo Sir
Humphry Davy, together with a letter asking
for some kind of employment in the labora-
tory. The result of this was that he was in-
vited to call, and was appointed assistant in
the laboratory of the Royal Institution. He
began his new duties in March, 1813, and in
October of the same year went abroad with
Davy, acting as his amanuensis and assistant
in experiments. Two years later he was ap-
pointed assistant in the mineralogical collec-
tion, and superintendent of the apparatus at
a salary of 30 shillings a week. In the year
following he delivered seven lectures before
the "City Philosophical Society."
On June 12th, 1S21, he was married to a
Miss Sarah Bernard and took her to live in
the Royal Institution, until 1858, when the
queen assigned him a house in Hampton
Court.
In 1822, he began investigating the liqui-
factlon of gases. He first succeeded in reduc-
ing chlorine to a liquid state by subjecting it
to the pressure of its own expansion, when
heated in a strong sealed tube. Afterward
he succeeded in liquefying several other gases.
In 1827 he delivered his first counse of lectures
before the Royal Institution, and in December
of the snme year he commenced the first of a
series of courses of juvenile lectures, which
were given for several succeeding years. In
addition to this, he gave Friday evening
popular lectures during nearly the whole of
his professional life. In 1831 he began his
investigations of the induction of the electric
current, and the evolution of electricity from
magnetism, which resulted in practically
making the science of magneto -electricity
what it is at present. His first great paper on
frictional electricity was sent to the Royal
Society in November, 1837. In 1854, he
closed his electrical researches which he had
continued, together with other investigations
for a quarter of a century.
Dr. Bence Jones, Faraday's biographer,
says : " The record of this work which he has
left in his manuscripts, and republished in his
three volumes of " Electrical Researches,"
will ever remain as his noblest monument ;
full of genius in the conception ; full of
finished and most accurate work in the execu-
tion ; in quantity so vast that it seems impos-
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
that the man contained i jwund la ounces of
phosphorus and 3.5 ounces of sulphur.
After all the above mentioned gases and
solids have been obtained, we have left only
a few metals with which to finish our man.
They are so few and in such small rjuantities
that to form a mining company and try to
work them would be hazardous. Iron is
found to the amount of 1-10 ounces per man,
and is represented in the form of an iron
wire. The largest metal constituent is cal-
cium, which forms the basis of lime, and is
found to the amount of 3 pounds 13 ounces
in the analyzed victim, this being represented
by a cube about 3 inches high. The con-
tinuation of the analysis will give in conclu-
sion a little block of magnesium weighing 1.8
ounces, a quantity of potassium weighing 2.8
ounces, and then -i.b ounces of sodium.
The only metal omitted from the collection
in the National Museum is brass, but this is
such a variable quantity even in men weigh-
ing 154 pounds, that to give any definite
measure or uniform quantity would be im-
possible. Again, the "breath of life" has
been omitted, because of the impracticability
of bottling it. So the chemist is forced to
satisfy himself with the resulting thirteen ele-
ments without any regard for these last two
named properties.
C. E. H.
STEVENS' SHARE IN BARTHOLDI DAY.
Cold and damp on the Institute steps at
eight A. M. on Barlholdi Day. At that hour
the patriotism of the students was indicated
by five men; at 8:30 by twenty-five. Then
Capt. Hart, with a gradually clearing counte-
nance as the number rose to thirty, formed his
men in column of twos and gave the command
to march. The somewhat monotonous trip to
42d Street was enlivened by an encounter with
" loaded " volunteer firemen on the L-train,
and at 9:15 Capt. Hart sent his lieutenant to
report to Col. Ketchum — an old college man,
a most finished gentleman — marshal of the
Educational Division.
"O, the long and dreary waiting! O, the
wet and muddy waiting ! from quarter past
nine until twelve o'clock. During this inter-
val the Columbia boys took up their position
at the head of the column with the C. C. N. Y.
boys in iheir rear. Then came Stevens, and
after them the N. Y, Dental College men.
Each battalion cheered the others, and Stevens
cheered one of her boys who sat with a party
of ladies in a balcony on the opposite side of
the street. In return he threw us bon-bons.
N. Y. D. C. couldn't stand that, so they pelted
each other with apples. Suddenly our popu-
lar professor of chemistry and his wife ap-
peared. They bowed and smiled at the greet-
ing cheer, and willingly wore the Stevens
badges offered them.
So we whiled away the time until noon,
when Colonel Ketchum ordered a march.
All the college boys seemed to take pride in
marching well, and, without any preliminary
drilling, succeeded remarkably well. Even
the most awkward man presented quite a
soldierly appearance by the lime the grand
stand was reached. But how the ladies stim-
ulated us to cheer by their waving handker-
chiefs, and how the President smiled when we
cheered him, and how the French insitors
wondered to hear us uttfr our peculiar yells
are matters of interest to us only.
Down Fifth avenue, down Broadway to the
City Hall, through Park Row and on down
to Wall Street we marched. At Wall and
William Streets we were dismissed. Then
was the opportunity of the favored few. The
five delegates from Stevens together with the
four from C. C. N. V., set out for the Barge
Office armed with a telegram from Gen. Stone.
The purport of the telegram was that " a small
deputation would be allowed to go on Liberty
Island." At this stage a funny incident oc-
curred. Capt. Hart had received the tele-
gram the day before, and, expecting to re-
ceive passes, had deemed it of no value ; so
he has used the back of it for notes on Ther-
modynamics. When the policeman took this
telegram to Gen. Stone he delivered it wrong
side up, much to the perplexity of the general,
who could neither understand the confused
mass of mathematics nor see its apphcation to
this particular occasion. When, however, one
of our men was admitted and explained
matters, an aid was instantly sent out to the
lines to admit us. As we filed in past the
general and his staff the former roused all our
latent pride and self -consciousness by raising
his chapeau and saying : " I am glad to meet
you, gentlemen ; it pleased me greatly to see
you in the parade to-day."
Then came the tug-of-war. Nothing to eat
since six o'clock, and before our famished
eyes the entire engineer corps eating their two
o'olock lunch. The nine of us, huddled to-
gether in a corner, watched the officers care-
lessly munching sandwiches, and from the
same corner arose a general groan whenever
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
119
a crust fell upon the floor. But otherwise it
seemed we were under Gen. Stone's especial
care. When it came time to embark a captain
of artillery called out to the hundred or more
invited guests that only Gen. Stone and his
staff were to go on board at first, but no
sooner had the general reached the deck than
he called out that his staff " and the delega-
tion from Stevens' Institute of Hoboken "
would go on board. So on board we went, in
advance of those bearing special invitations.
The incidents on board can be briefly summed
up by saying we had all the whistling, all the
cannonading, and all the sociability that we
desired ; and when we thanked the general
for the remarkable favor he had shown us, he
answered that he was *' pleased to be of ser-
vice to us, and our college cheers had taken
him back to his own college days, which with
these gray hairs were something to look back
to."
To those who enjoyed the general's kind-
ness this day will be ever memorable. Had
it not been for him we would have missed the
best part of the day's ceremonies. We cannot
speak highly enough of him or his staff, or
Col. Ketchum, either as soldiers or as gentle-
men. Chic.
THE STONE SAWS IN USE AT NORTH
BELLEVILLE, N. J.
There are two works located at North
Belleville, using different methods for sawing
stone, and at each place the foreman claims
that his machine gives more satisfactory re-
sults than his neighbor's.
On the west side of the river the red sand-
stone is sawed with diamonds ; four of the
precious stones are set in a small steel plate
which is fastened to the lower edge of an iron
blade, 18 ft. long, 10 in. deep and \ in. thick.
The blade is attached to the bottom of a stout
wooden frame and carries sixteen sets of dia-
monds, spaced a foot apart.
The frame received a horizontal reciprocat-
ing motion from a crank of 21 in. throw,
driven by a 30 horse power engine. Four
vertical screws, two at each end of the frame,
are connected by means of bevel gear with a
click and racket. The click is moved by an
adjustable lever connected with an eccentric
on the engine shaft. The lever is adjusted to
feed 16 inches an hour when the diamonds in
the saw are new and sharp, but after five or
six weeks only a 7 in. feed is used.
The complete set of 64 diamonds lasts
about ten months and costs $200.
The stone to be cut is placed on a hand
car, and run under the saw on a track.
Blocks 12 ft. long and 6 ft. high can be cut
here.
This saw has been running thirteen years, and
besides the slow feed, it has a belt connection
which raises or lowers it rapidly when a new
cut is to be made. An abundance of water is
run continually into the cut, and the work is
left with a fine finish which needs no dressing.
On the east bank of the Passaic there are
two saws which have wrought iron blades like
the other, but are fed with a mixture of sand,
water, and small shot made of chilled iron.
The shot do the cutting and are used several
times over ; they cost $15 a cwt., and are
used, I am told, in many stone sawing
yards.
These saws are run by a crank and con-
necting rod, but instead of moving on
horizontal guides they are hung from a cross-
head at each end by six foot rods. The
cross-heads run in vertical guides, and are
both lowered together by unwinding two
steel ropes, wound in opposite directions
around a drum. The drum is driven by a
chain belt which receives its motion from a
shaft driven by a worm gear, which in turn
receives its motion by means of bevel gear,
from a belt driving a cone pulley.
These saws cut 14 inches an hour with new
shot, and 8 inches with shot which have be-
come worn ; the blades are -^ in. thick, 8 in.
deep and 12 ft. long, they seldom last longer
than ten days, although one had a life of
seventeen days.
One saw has 16 inches travel and makes
eight throws, while the other with a 12 in.
travel makes ten ; while the slower moving
one can never be fed more than 8 inches an
hour, the swift one cuts 14 inches an hour
with new shot.
A 45 horse power engine runs both saws
and each is capable of cutting a block 12 ft.
long by 10 ft. high. When either of these
saws is to be reset it is raised by a crank
turned by hand. The surface of stone cut by
this method is not smoothly finished, being
scored at the ends by curved lines a sixteenth
of an inch deep, while in the middle the lines
are nearly straight and not quite so deep ;
thus the work always requires dressing by
hand.
Pi.
]^1^^
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
THE ARTESIAN WELL PHENOMENA.
Belle Plaine, Iowa, has a sensation scarcely
less surprising than the earthquake at Charles-
ion. It is worthy the attention of educators
that so many startling phenomena have oc-
curred about the same time. The seismic move-
ment in South Carolina and on the Eastern
hemisphere ; the renewed activity in the Vel-
lowstone Park, and this Iowa artesian overflow.
In early spring it was discovered that flowing
wells could be secured in Belle Plaine, and six
were driven to a depth of from siotojoi
feet, wholly in drift, and without reaching its
bottom in any instance. Five flowed, and in
the sixth it came to within three feet of the
surface. The seventh well was started about
fifteen feel below the next lowest. A two
inch well was sunk. It went through four
feet of soil, ten feet of yellow clay, sixteen
feet of fine sand, eighteen feet of gravel and
145 feel of blue, stony clay. The flow was
struck in a lower fathomless strata of sand and
gravel. Pieces of wood and other substances
were brought uji by the flow from this depth,
indicating the presence of one of the "old
forest " beds.
The flow struck did not differ materially
from the others. While trying to force a
three inch pipe, the water broke outside of it,
rapidly enlarging the well until a vast volume
of waterpoured forth, inundating thestreetsand
adjoining lots, bearing with it much sand and
some pebbles, with a great variety of northern
rocks. The volume was more surprising than
the height, as it did not rise more than five
feet. Its diameter was about three feet ; it
flowed nearly five million gallons per day, by
estimate.
The other wells gradually declined, ceasing
to flow after a few days. The head lowered
about five inches a day It is estimated that
the source is an underground reservoir of from
forty to four hundred acres. There is every
reason to believe that it has no connection with
the seismic movement. — Science Monthly.
BFierREBRrFiS ReiJBS.
A Russian commission appointed to test
rails and tires found : i. Tircsfrom soft steel
are more brittle, liable to break, than hard
steel ones. 3. Tires from soft steel wear much
more rapidly than hard ones, and are not to
be recommended. 3, Very hard sted is bad
in use and requires frequent turning up. 4
The best tires contained more carbon and
much less manganese than ihe less excellent,
0,5 per cent, against 0,37 per cent, for carbon,
and o,j7 per cent, against 0.76 per cent, for
manganese. The proportion of silicon to
phosphorous is pretty constant in the be^l
tires. The commission recommended changes
in the imperi.il regulations for rail testing,
looking to the retention of the bending and
drop tests, the former only within the elastic
limit, the latter to be tried both with chilled-
reduced to freezing temperature — rails and
warm ones, with a reduction of the height of
fall and omission of a second drop. Each
charge to be tested for the above by taking
one rail out and testing it in three pieces
separately. In addition, tensile and chemical
tests are to be made periodically during deliv-
ery, for which limiting figures are set for
strength and amount of injurious elements,
silicon, manganese and sulphur. For tires
the drop test is to be reduced and the tensile
test retained. — Van NoslrancTs Engineering
Magaiine.
A useful alloy of aluminum and tin has
been obtained by M. Bourbouse, by melting
together 100 partsof the former metal with 10
parts of the latter. This alloy is whiter than
aluminum, and has a density of 2,85, a little
greater than that of the pure metal \which is
2,56), so thai it is not too heavy to replace
aluminum in instruments requiring great light-
ness of their parts. It is less affected by re-
agents, etc., than aluminum, and also is more
easily worked. Another of its merits is thai il
can be soldered as easily as brass without
any special preparation. — Scientific Americas.
The Electrical Rej'ieiv states that, Hartman
& Braun, of Frankfort, have put upon the
market a very compact and complete Rheostat,
the invention of Prof. Kohlrausch. This in-
strument furnishes a direct reading of Ihe re-
sistances of conductors, and is, consequently
of great value in laboratory experiments, but
especially so in practical applications. The
apparatus comprises a Wheat stone bridgt
made with a silver wire 2$ " centimeters" (10
inches) long and wound in comparative resist-
ances of I. 10, 100 and 1,000 ohms, and is
enclosed in a box. •
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
121
The contact sliding back and forward on a
metallic strip serves as indicator for the
different resistances of the bridge, which is so
arranged as to allow of a direct reading with-
out calculation of the resistance to be deter-
mined. The instrument is made complete by
an induction coil which serves as an excitant
of alternating currents to prevent polarization
when the resistance of currents is to be meas-
ured.
Effect of overblowing steel upon the elimi-
nation of phosphorus. A. Tarum describes,
in the Zernkontorets Annaler^ a somewhat curi-
ous experiment made at the Vestanfoers
Bessemer Works. A charge of 1,850 kilo-
grammes of pig iron was blown until it was
reduced to only 400 killogrammes. The fol-
lowing analyses show the composition of pig :
(A); the composition of the steel when the
flame becomes short. (B); its constituents, an
hour later (C); and the final product (D) :
The Scientific American estimates the rela-
tive value of natural gas and coal in this way.
Of Pittsburgh coal 55.4 pounds contain the
same number of heat units as 1,000 cubic feet
of natural gas. With coal at $1.20 per ton,
1,000 feet of natural gas would then be worth
3i cents. But by tests made by the West-
inghouse Air Brake Company, 1.18 cubic
feet of natural gas evaporated one pound of
water from 190° F., with the same boiler
under which one pound of the best coal
evaporated 10.38 pounds of water. That is,
one pound of coal equals 12.25 cubic feet of
gas, or 1,000 feet gas equal 8if | pounds coal.
This difference results from the expenditure
of heat necessary to raise solid fuel to the
gaseous state, which must be done before
combustion can take place. In a house grate
the loss on this score from using coal would
be more than in a large furnace of a factory.
Hence, the greater economy in the use of
natural gas is in houses and small establish-
ments.
A method of sending a picture by telegraph
has been invented by a Scotchman, W. Gem-
mill, by which a photograph taken at one end
of a wire is transmitted and reproduced at
the other. The picture is primarily projected
on a selenium cell placed in the telegraphic
circuit, which, according to the degree of in-
tensity of the light received, acts upon the
current, and through it a number of subsidiary
currents connected with an incandescent lamp,
illuminating it with varied degrees of intensity
consonant with the strength of the current.
"These successive illuminations," according
to the Photographic Times, "would give
images of corresponding brightness to the
points in the picture thrown upon the selenium
cell, and the final picture, of course, would
consist of a series of these points in various
depths of shade."
A.
Pig.
Carbon ' 4.05
Silicon I-I25
Phosphorus 0.024
Sulphur
Manganese .... 4.50
B.
Flame
Short.
C.
One
Hour
Later.
D.
Final
Product.
0.03
0.025
0.02
0.025
0.029
0040
0.046
0.014
0066
Trace
• • • •
• • • •
O.IO
0.03
0.03
This proves that, even if overblowing is
carried to an extreme, on an acid bottom, the
phosphorous is not eliminated. The in-
crease, of course, is due to concentration in a
smaller quantity of metal. — Van Nostrand's
Engineering Magazine,
It is estimated that not less than 14,000
horse-power, derived from river falls, is to-day
in use in the United States and Canada for
electrical purposes — mostly for electric lights.
— Electrical Review,
The cross sights of surveyors instruments
are now largely made of platinum wire. The
wire used for the purpose is drawn to a dia-
meter of about one twelve-thousandths of an
inch. To accomplish this fine drawing
platinum wire three one-thousandths of an
inch is covered with silver bringing the dia-
meter to one-tenth of an inch. This is then
drawn so as to give the diameter of platinum
core required, then the silver is eaten off with
acid leaving the platinum wire. — American
Machinist,
« ^ » »'
The Eighty- Four for July has just appeared
upon the scene, with a characteristic lateness
which we fear belongs to the majority of
** Stevens " publications. As it is only for the
reading of the Class of '84, we will refrain
from criticism.
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
sphe SteTCRS IndiGatep.
\ MONTH, OURIMG THE COLLEGE Y
INDICATOR PUBLISHING COMPANY,
^tBVen^ Institute of TBGijiioIogi|.
— K. EDIXORB-M—
CARTER H. PAGE,J»., '87. BdUrr-m-iMy.
A. A. FCLLEB, -BB, fl«j.«H. Xr^nv"-.
JOHN V. L. PIERSON. "SS. KnUig^ Sdiltr.
BURTON P. HALL, '88.
TIRHS:-tt.Be fw TMr. In Mitnee. SInal* Can. » CtsU.
Extra (tpUs fan ii ohiitintd al Lulkirt'i tori ihrr,
Hebektn,N.J.
Suhsfriben will flroit immn/itiltl/ notify hi of nnjr
ckanet in Huir aiiilrtutt sr failHrt lit rtirivt tAt fafer
Tht mrittr'sfutlHame.atwrllashit nom dk PLUIOc.
and alt ^htr eommunitalitHS hy mail.tkBtttd it addrttud
I'd Tks Stevens Indicatok, StevHU JiuHHUt.Jtoieim,
N.J.
Ltlleri for pubtitalion should it icrilltH Itgiilyin mi.
upon em lidt of Iht faf/r; uiiltsi leo long, thty ti'ill it
serUd oj
•nlliH.
'fl'C'AIN the Indicator appears behind
/I time. This is almost entirely owing to
the relaxation preceeding the dissolution of so
powerful a monopoly as the Indicator Pub-
lishing Company. However, our readers, we
feel sure, will pardon this when they consider
the sacrifice we are going to make for their
good. But we will endeavor to brace up for
WE heartily agree wifh Mr. A. B. on
several points set forth in his com.
munication, /. e., the want of a catalogue, the
lack of sufficient chairs, and the total absence
of a suitable reading-room, but when it comes
to forming a " Library Committee "" from the
cliLssc^, we think he has gone a little too far.
Suth a proposition is as impracticable as it is
impossible, and we doubt very much thai Mr.
A. H. himself would be willing to serve on (he
proposed Committee.
n T a meeting of a special board appoinied
El by the Executive Committee of the
Alumni Association of Stevens Institute of
Technology, and of a Committee of the Indi-
cator Publishing Company, held in June
1886, with a view of establishing a basis on
which united action of the Alumni Association
and the undergraduates could be secured in
the interests of the paper, the following
agreements were entered into:
First. — Dissolution of the present stod
company controlling the Indicator, and ihf
appointment of a board of editors consisting
of two alumni and four under -graduates, one
from each class.
Second. — In case of discussion as to the
propriety of matter for publication, a majority
vote is to effect a final decision, the provision,
however, being made that the alumni editors
should decide as to the fitness for publication
of material coming through the other mem-
bers of the board.
Thin!. — I'he under-graduate members of
the board ate to be selected every year by iht
under graduate members of the retiring board,
from two men nominated by each class.
Fourth. — The business management of the
paper is to remain in the hands of the under-
graduates,
j:'!'///;.— Publication is to be made quarterly
instead of monthly, as heretofore ; the pap«
is to be increased in size, and its standard
throughout as a college magazine elevated."
This change can hardly be anything but
beneficial. We can count on the articles from
the alumni editors as being creditable, not
only to the organization from who^ they
were chosen, but also to the profession in
general. The two gentlemen who have been
selected are men of reputation, whose writiafj'
THE STEVENS INDICATOR,
123
as standard authorities on many
They have not signified their will-
accept the positions tendered
we earnestly hope that they will,
: year at any rate, as they will un-
place the Indicator in the first
the outset.
ds the undergraduate editors, it is
nt that they can produce more
matter for a quarterly than a
n of the greater amount of time to
to such work, they will be enabled
e result of their labors of infinite
emselves and of considerable inter-
rs.
an be little doubt of its success
ncial standpoint, judging from past
•
nt about 16 percent. of the Alumni
to the Indicator, but under the
e every member of the Alumni
1 will be a subscriber, the annual
g been raised the necessary amount^
nount to quite a large sum. Hereto-
bscriptions have amounted to about
it. of total cost of publication,
the new management the cost of
1 will assuredly be less than hereto-
he subscriptions will then amount
70 per cent, of the actual cost of
1, so that with a business manager,
exert himself as he should, there
le quite a surplus even under ordi-
tions.
C0fflffiUF^rGji5pr8^.
iBRARY — Its Uses and Abuses.
Htors of the Indicator :
;h our college has the reputation of
first of its. kind in the country, it is
J very unenviable position of having
>f no practical value to the students,
a very short statement, the uses of
^ are nil. Let us see how true this
statement is. We have a large room — yes ;
quite a number of tables — yes ; ^\q chairs —
yes ; 1,000 (?) books — yes ; and that is all.
Suppose any one of us should wish to look up
a certain reference. Now, if all the other
conveniences were at hand, we should have
to go through the following routine. As there
is no catalogue, go to each case and read the
title of every work until the desired one is
found. This takes up from one-half to two-
thirds of the time, if you have good eyes
and read quickly. Then hunt up O. W. J.
and get him to go to the library and open the
case — after signing a card you have at last
the desired treasure. Then, after settling down
and finding the proper place in the book, you
take out your watch and find that there is just
enough time left to be off, either to a recita-
tion or elsewhere.
Again, suppose, now, that you did have
another hour or so to spare after obtaining the
book, where will you go. There is a standing
rule in the library that no books must be taken
from the building. There are then one of two
places to choose from. Either go to the class-
room or stay in the library. But, you can do
neither. The class-room is out of the ques-
tion entirely. No one can study there. The
library is a general lounging room for all
classes ; it is a general passage-way to all the
rooms in the building for all who come in the
side-door ; and finally it is the college post-
office and advertising stand. Putting all these
things together, one can obtain an idea of the
chances there are for study or even reading.
And yet in physics, in engineering, in math-
ematics we are continually being referred to
books, which we do not possess and which we
cannot afford to buy ; and all these books are
in the library, and we, because of the existing
state of affairs in the library, are unable to
derive any benefit from attending the lectures
in the various departments.
These things ought to be remedied, and the
writer desires to propose the following scheme.
He hopes that, in the interest of all the
students, it will be thoroughly discussed and
some action taken upon it by the authorities.
In the first place, that the library may not
only be one in name, but in reality ; it must
be made quiet. This can only be done by
closing up the entrance that leads into it from
the side door, and also closing the small en-
trance into the wash-room. By closing up the
side entrance no one is inconvenienced. All
the class-rooms are on the upper floors, and
the students can just as well go right up into
124
THE STE^VENS INDICATOR.
their respective class-rooms as turn into the
library.
Having now obtained a quiet room, the next
thing is to put the management of the library
into the hands of some who have requisite
time at their disposal. To this end let there
be chosen from each class in the Institute two
members, who are to form the ** Library Com-
mittee." These men are to be elected by the
class from a certain number selected by the
Professor of literature. The duties of this
committee shall be to keep all books tabulated;
to see that the library is only used as a refer-
ence library ; that no books are removed ; that
whenever a book is desired, they can give in-
formation as to whether it is in the library,
and to tell where it is ; they shall be respon-
sible for all books, etc., etc.
By this means, no extra expenses will be in-
curred by the Institute ; so that there can be
no objection from that side. The interest of
the students will certainly be awakened, and
having a place where they can read and study,
the library will certainly be made use of as it
ought to be, and the results thereby attained
will certainly add to the high name of our
Institute. A. B.
'i:s^. •^:
Considering the day, the boys turned out
pretty well on Bartholdi Day.
What has become of that " cane rush "
that was to take place between '89 and '90 ?
Going ! Going ! Gone ! What ! Why,
the cross-section paper. Let us sing the
fortieth hymn.
At a meeting of the non-fraternity men
held Wednesday, November 3d, Fred N. Con-
net was elected neutral editor on the Bolt for
1887.
The name of Ladd Plumley, formerly a
member of the class of '87 S. I. T., appears
in the college roll in the catalogue of Lehigh
University, Bethlehem, Penn.
On Wednesday evening, October 20th, Dr.
and Mrs. Leeds held a reception for the Senior
Class. The Class was fairly well represented,
and passed a very pleasant evening.
At the regular meeting in October, Pierson,
'88, and Schenck, '88, were elected members
of the I. P. Co. At the same time Schenck
was elected to fill the vacancy in the board of
editors.
Prof. Rroeh deserves many thanks for the
kindly interest which he exhibited in making
the arrangements for Bartholdi Day, by which
the students were offered a position in the
parade.
Prof, of Engineering, lecturing on fire ex-
tinguishing apparatus, and a little mixed :
Well, they found they could not throw
the fire into that flat, so they put out the water
with pails."
At a special meeting of the company,
November 15, Fuller, '88, was elected Business
Manager, Finch, '90, having resigned. At
the same time Pierson was elected to fill the
vacancy in the board of editors.
We have recently heard of a photographer
who, having occasion to use some cyanide of
potassium, bit a piece in half to make it
smaller ; but we did not hear whether his
funeral cost any more on that account or ;
not. i
Prof. W recently remarked that, under
certain conditions, a specified problem would
not be " soluble." This shows a new applica-
tion of the word soluble. We have heard it
applied to material substances before, but
never to anything as abstract as a problem.
" Live and learn."
The latest discussion in " Dutch " is the
difference between a " Krupp " cannon and a
red nose. Also the question as to which
burns the longer, a wax candle or a tallow
candle. Our liberal translator says he don't
sec the joke to the former ; but he says that
in the latter case neither candle burns longer.
They both burn shorter. He ! he !
This must be the season when " the soul of
man is stirred within him,'* for one man be-
gins an engineering essay as follows : " Since
first the human race directed its tottering in-
fant steps into the path that leads up to civil-
ization, men have been attempting, not with-
out success, to impose the drudgery of their
tasks upon dumb beasts and uncomplaining
machinery."
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
■25
lesday evening, November 9, Dr. and
:ds held a. reception for the Junior
The weather favored the occasion, and
was well represented, considering the
who reside out of town. Some of the
■s attended, and the members of the
sent had the pleasure of meeting them
The evenmg was much enjoyed by
ts to the host and hostess.
srvous system of '88 has had a very
lock. It was discovered on the night
isot Leeds' reception that Beyer had
^ith those beautiful whiskers of his.
not been for the fact thai an un-
>lacid state of mind existed on that
, a very serious panic might have en-
m such a dreadfully exciting cause
ts appearance without any warning
Be careful about those things in
e. Do such things gradually, or else
: will get hurt yet.
egulatton rush has taken place be-
3 and "90. The former met the latter
.11 adjoining the mathematics room,
ed an outward pressure on '90, and
me terrified and exerted a back pres-
89. But in this case the summation
el forces was not equal to zero, a fact
suited in '89's acquiring anacceleratd
n the direction of the greater force,
ened to be coming from a recitation
h." at the time, and was thus made
untary witness of the affair, which
lie class to be the recipient, the next
a lecture for rushing '89.
g this season the team has done very
rk, having met Yale once, Princeton
id Harvard once, it being noticeable
;se games thai the scores, in compari-
olher matches, were very creditable
ens. There seems to be something
y wrong with the centre of our rush
he men do not " block " long enough
[uarter-back lo be able to put the ball
to the half-backs. Also, when the
half-backs run with the ball, they do not run
towards the side of the field which is clear,
but try to get through the line immediately in
front of them, where they have a very small
chance of getting through. Now, let the
centre " brace up " and block hard, so as to
give the quarter back time to pass the ball
and to pass it well. Our half-backs are both
good runners, and, I think, if given a chance,
that they wilt improve it, and that we will be
able to make good record before the season is
HARVARD vs. STEVENS.
The following team went to Cambridge to
play the annual football match with Harvard
on Saturday, Oct. 16, 1886.
Stevens.— Rushers, Flack, Phelps, Weichet,
Firestone ; center, Hart ; (Captain) Emmet,
Hawkins ; quarler-back, Lopez ; half-backs,
Cunti and Uhlenhaul ; full-back, Taylor.
HARVARt>.— Rushers, Harding, Remington,
Woodman, Brooks ; (Center and Captain),
Burgess, Butler and Holden ; quarter-back,
Dudley; half-backs. Porter and Seais; full-
back, Peabody. Referee, Mr. Fiske, '86,
Harvard. Time of game, one hour and
thirty minutes.
During the first half our team played a very
good game keeping the score down to 10
points, one touch-down and goal, and one
touch-down and no goal being made by Har-
vard lo Stevens' o.
With the wind in their favor in the second
half Harvard secured ,14 points, Stevens not
scoring, making the total score, Harvard 44,
Stevens o.
Yale vs. Stkvens,— Wednesday, October
2o, 1886, at St. George Cricket Grounds,
Hoboken, N. J.,
Vale.- Rushers, Robinson. Gill, Burke,
Corbin, Woodruff, Carter, Wallace ; quarter-
back, Beecher ; half-backs, Walkinsoii and
Wurtemburg ; full-back, Pratt.
Stevens.— Rushers, Reid, Emmet, Drum-
mond, Hall, Firestone, Taylor and Torrance ;
quarter-back, De Hart ; half-backs, Campbell
and Cunlz ; full-back, Uhlenhaul.
Referee, Mr. Bradford, '87. Princeton.
Capt. Hart was unable to play from injuries
received at Harvard, and Campbell acted as
captain. Our team made a very creditable
showing as it was little better than a " scrub,"
Harl, Phelps, Crisfield, Hawkins and Lopez
not being able to play. The playing of Yale
was excellent. The ball was kicked off by
126
THE S TE VE NS IND ICATOR.
Yale at 3.15 p. m., and Wurtom])urg made a
touchdown in three minutes, Watkinson kick-
ing a goal six points, a goal frc»m field by
Watkinson, five points and a touchdown by
Watkinson, resulting in no goal, four points,
followed by a touchdown by Wurtemburg ;
goal by Watkinson ; six points and a touch-
down by Carter ; no goal, four points, a touch-
down by Wallace : goal by Watkinson. Six
points ended the first half. Vale scoring 31
points to Stevens' o. During the second half
Stevens jilayed in better form, dill made the
first touchdown for Vale ; goal by Watkinson,
six points ; followed by touchdown by Wal-
lace, four j)oints, punted out to Heecher.
Watkinson tried for goal, but missed. A
safety by Campbell, two j)oints ; a goal from
field by Watkinson, five points ; followed by
touchdown by Wallace ; goal by Watkinson,
six points. Time called here. Vale, 23 :
Stevens, o. Total score : Vale, 54 j)oints, to
Stevens o. Time of game, one hour.
Lafayette vs. Stevens. — Saturdav, Oct.
23, 1886, at St. Cieorge ( Ticket Crounds,
Hoboken, N. J.,
Lafayette. — Rushers, (Julelius '.r\iptain),
Overton, Harvey, William.^ Rohrback, Cum-
mings and Brady ; quarter-back, Krick ; half-
backs, C'amp and Paine ; full-bac k, Mcllwaine.
Stevens. — Rushers, Crisfield, I )rummond.
Hart (Cai)tain), Clark, Firestone, Pnelj)s and
Reid ; (juarterback, Lopez ; half-backs. Camp-
bell and C'untz ; full-back, Uhlenhaut.
Referee, l^nil Schult/, \'ale. Hall was
kicked oft' by Stevens at 3 j). m. I'rom the
first it was evident that the game would be
close, as the teams played evenly.
During the first half, a goal from field by
Camp gave r,af;iyette live points, Steven^ not
s(H)ring. During the second half Stevens
jjlayed much better. In the last part of the
second half Campbell ninde a free C'U<'h and
tried to kick a go:d from the free ki<"k, hut
missed, the ball going over the L:\fayelte goal
line. Rei<l sec nied it :md mjde a toiulidown
for Stevens. (lutelius. Captain of Lafayette,
])Ut in a claim ot no tou(hdown, claiming that
Reid was " off side," which was given hy the
referee before Cajjtain 1 lait had anything to
say about the deeision. The dec ision being pro-
tested hy Stevens, the referee saw that Reid
could not i^ossibly he off side, and ])rom])tly
reversed hi^ decision, giving Stevens ihe trench-
down, from whi<h C:nnj)bell easily kicked a
goal. After a few minutes more play time was
called, the score being 6 to 5 in favor of Stevens.
Lehigh 7v. Stevens. — At Hoboken, Od
30, 1886.
Lehigh. — Polk, Palmer, I-a Doo, Davi
Netzel, Lee and Cartin ; quarter-back, Ely
half-backs, Lewis and Phelps ; full-bad
Bradford, (Captain).
Stevkns. — Rushers, Reid, Phelps, Dnua
mond, Clark, Firestone, Hart (Captain), am
Crisfield ; quarter-back, Lopez ; half-bacfa
Campbell and Cuntz ; full-back, Uhlenhant
Referee, Mr. V. Aldridge. Ball was kickei
off by Stevens at 3.10 p. m., and was at one
rushed down near Lehigh's goal, where it n
mained nearly all the time. Campbell mad
a try for goal, but missed. Time was called
neither team scoring. In the first half, Qaii
had his ankle injured, and Taylor took hi
place. During the second half, Lehifi^ hai
two trials at goal, but missed them both. Tb
play was very even, both teams being wd
matched, and, with the exception of the rougl
playing of La Doo, who tackled two Steven
n)en when outside the lines and threw then
the game ended very pleasantly, the scor
standing o to o.
^■^rWiSrz
v'aMS t '^-
The literary criticisms of the Princetonim
form an interesting part of its columns.
We hope the B///rand the Ta rj^u m wiW no
countenance any more discussions about th«
merits of their />(7s/ football attainments. On
college should not sneer at another, and 11
return we should put as charitable a con
struction as j)os.sible uj)on the criticism o
our fellow collegiate papers.
We always welc jine the I^orthioesiern^ k.
it always contains something of general in
terest and high merit. The paper now pre
sents a neat aj)pearance and fine typography
and we would discourage the proposec
scheme to have the paper printed by th«
students. We cannot conceive how it wotilc
be possible ft^r anv students to find the greal
amount of time which it would be necessar)
to expend in this work. For the sake of yom
j)aper, and for the sake of your studies; let the
new scheme be dropped.
JUHion ocrAnT.
SENIOR OefAAT
~i ars.oo PSB annuI
OlftO.OO PER ANNUi
POOLE & HUNT,
^»l]lui5i ^ilflfip will 'Smijti 5, jSl.iliDiiiirij flmm Jkiijmr!
SUPCRIOR MACHINE MOLDED GEARll
Spur, Bevel, Angle, MortlSB, H6llcal, Doutite Hitlleal unA Worm,l
THE
jStleve^s jHdT©il©p.
HOBOKEN, N. J., DECEMBER, 1886.
No. 9.
"NIPPED IN THE BUD."
Would V.
Well — he raised such 1 din,
Tbal ne lophoinoies dropped in,
And he's climbed up the golden sta
A SKETCH OF EDISON'S LIFE.
A person engaged in the study of the lives
of our great men, cannot help being im-
pressed with the fact, strange as it may seem,
that only a very few of them ever received
more than a limited high school education,
most of them, in fact, having received so
little that to call them entirely self-educated
would be no more than a just tribute to their
greatness. Some from lack of means, others
from lack of desire, but whatever the cause
we find the majority of our presidents, states-
men, scientists, inventors, etc., untaught, ex-
cept in so far as they seem to have an inward
monitor who guides and directs them into the
proper channel for the acquiring of knowledge,
aad the displiy of it to those who may spend
a large number of years in a college and yet
never possess the much desired " greatness."
Among the large number of self-made men,
Thomas Alva Edison stands out among the
very foremost, for though born into this world
with less than moderate circumstances, he
soon makes a high place for himself, aided
only by his indomitable courage, unflagging
enei^, and hjs seemingly in ex hau stable brain
force.
His mother, a Scotch woman, and his
father a Dutchman, lived in a small town,
Milan, Erie County, Ohio, at the time of his
binb, which took place Feb. 11, 1847. At a
very early age he was thrown upon his own
Donsitnlity with only eight weeks of com-
I idiool education ; this, however, was sup-
plemented with help from his mother who en-
couraged his taste for reading, and so we find
that by his twelfth year he had read besides
Hume and Audibon, a great deal of the Penny
CyclopEedia. His love for reading and thus
acquiring knowledge, together with his insati-
able liking for chemistry led him to determine
to read every book in the public library of
Detroit, and in carrying out this determina-
tion he even went so far as to read Newton's
Principia, the Dictionary of Science, by Ure,
and as an enjoyable " top dressing" Burton's
Anatomy of Melancholy.
On acquiring a. monopoly of the "news
agency " on the Grand Trunk railroad he
opened up for himself a large field of reading
matter ; this not employing all of his time he
improvised a laboratory in one of the cars,
but by the untimely explosion of some chem-
icals the car was set on fire and the whole
train so much endangered that the conductor
threw both the boy and his apparatus out of
the car. Nothing daunted, the boy collected
a lot of type and began to issue The Grand
Trunk Herald. His evenings being at his dis-
posal he enthusiastically took up telegraphy,
becoming so proficient that in a short time
he operated in Port Huron, Mich, ; Stratford,
Canada, and Adrain, Mich., at which place he
established a shop for repairing telegraph in-
struments and the manufacture of other in-
struments. His next move was to Indianap-
olis. Here he invented his automatic repeater
for transferring a message from one wire to
another without the services of an operator.
After traveling a great deal from city to city
he went to Cincinnati, and at the age of
twenty became known as a successful inven-
tor. But being in such demand he spent
much time in Boston and between Rochester
and New York. He was now engaged in per-
fecting his inventions ; to this effect he em-
ployed about 300 hands at an establishment
in Newark, N. J., but on finding that the
superintendence of this took up too much
time he gave it up and established in 1876, an
experimenting establishment at Menlo Park ;
this place has become the Mecca of all per-
sons interested in lighting by electricity. In
130
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
1878 at the age of 31 years, Edison created a
great sensation amon^ the leading European
scientists by the exhibition of his Phonograph
at the French Institute. This exhibit was
followed up in 1881 at the Paris Electrical
Exhibition, at which place could be seen his
system of electric lighting by incandescence,
his disc dynamo-electric machine, also a micro-
tasimeter, which is used to measure the smallest
change in temperature, an odoroscope which
renders visible the presence of certain essen-
tial oils and hydrocarbon vapors and registers
their action, then the electromotograph which
reproduces the human voice at a distance, and
as a climax one of his most wonderful inven-
tions is the quadruplex system of telegraphy,
by means of which four messages can be sent
in opposite directions and be perfectly trans-
mitted over the same wire. In all, Mr.
Edison's inventions amount to about 200, and
being still a very young man we may look for
manjr more testimonials of his marvelous in-
ventive genius. ' C. E. H.
*^» »
THE INDICATOR'S PROFESSION.
Three years ago the Stevens Indicator
came into the world, and as it was the first-
bom, all the family pride centered in it To
be sure, its elder cousin, the Eccentric^ had
preceded it by ten years ; but the Eccentric
had passed through childhood and was settled
in its own useful comer of life's busy arena.
The Indicator, however, was of a vacillating
temperment, now interesting itself wholly in
athletics, now with childish thoughtlessness
annoying its god-fathers, the faculty. How ten-
derly this scion of a noble house was reared !
How troubled were its friends at its sudden
manifestations of wrath and folly ! How
little it cared for serious thought ! Yet now
and again it astonished everyone by its pre-
cocity, by the lurkings of power within it.
Like many young men, the Indicator
hoped to obtain the aid of some influential
relatives when it came time to start out in
life ; but as the time drew near the alumni
showed no interest beyond asking if the youth
was well, and moralizing upon the constant
care required to train up such a headstrong
and friendless boy. Not for one moment,
however, did the parents despair. The less
interest the relatives showed, the more the
parents sought to gain their favor though the
intrinsic merits of the child.
The momentous hour had arrived when the
choice of a profession must be made. At first
leemed as though the Indicator inclined
toward journalism — one moment it aped the
North American Review^ the next it conde-
scended to be pleased with Puck^ St, Jacobus
Otl Almanac and the Mechanical Et^ifuer,
Yet, withal, its fondness for science was of no
mean order, and in its inexperienced way it
sought to observe and to explain. Candor
compels me to confess that at this age the
youth was self -asserting and erratic ; but the
first was caused by the stem necessities of an
almost friendless exbtence, while the latter
arose from the vain endeavor to be all things
to all men and thus gain a few friends.
When the Indicator's parents asked their
kindred, the alumni, for advice and assistance,
the reply was : ^' If you will make a scientific
man of him and let us join forces in starting
him in life, we will see to it that financial sup-
port is not wanting to make him a success."
What reply was to be made to this liberal
ofiFer? Could it in justice to the youth be
rejected ?
I have just returned from an interview
with one deeply concemed in the welfare of
the Indicator. Next month, he tells me, the
professional duties are to begin. The profes-
sion chosen is that of mechanical engineering.
The alumni are numerous and influential ;
surely success will crown their undertaking.
Railways of Europe in 1884. — The total
length of railways opened for traffic at the end
of the year 1883 amounted to 113,716 miles.
At the end of 1884 the length open was 117,-
633 miles, showing an increase of 3.937 miles
opened in the course of 1884, or 3.46 percent,
of the total length at the end of 1883. 515
miles were opened in Germany; 776 miles in
Austria, Hungaria; 256 miles in Spain; 933
miles in France; 208 miles in Great Britain
and Ireland; 313 miles in Russia and Finland.
— Van Nostrand's Engineering Magazine.
A NEW process for making steel pipes is
employed at Burbach, Germany; as soon as
the steel is cast into the round mould, a core
is thrust into the steel, so that a tube is formed
between it and the walls of the mould. In
order to prevent cracking of this annular
casting during cooling, the core is so made
that it follows up the shrinkage of the steel.
The steel cup thus obtained may then be
rolled in an ordinary train. It is stated that
a large firm in Paris proposes to apply the
method to the manufacture of copper tubing.
— Scientific American,
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
THE FIRST LOCOMOTIVE FOR
AMERICA.
The following verbatim extract from the
"Description Book, 1831," gives the leading
dimensions of the first engine ordered for
use in the United States. The description
was probably copied from an older book, and
was apparently written in 1831. Mr. Allen
has stated that he believed this engine, which
he ordered from Stephenson, to have been the
first with a multitubular boiler, as distinguished
from the older engines with a single or a re-
turn flue. While Stephenson had faith in the
multitubular boiler, he could not persuade his
countrymen to order a boiler of the new type,
but Horatio Allen, with characteristic Ameri-
can disdain for mere precedents, gave Steph-
enson an order for the first multitubular
boiler used in a locomotive. It will be seen,
however, that this boiler hardly deserved the
name of multitubular, as it had only two so-
called tubes, each 19 in. diameter. Mr. Allen
has stated, however, that ** the only points de-
cided by me were that the boilers of the loco-
motives built by Stephenson &: Co. were to be
multitubular boilers, the dimensions of the
tubes to be decided by the builders. Mr.
Allen further states that the engines were
built after he left England, and that he never
saw the inside of the boilers. Stephenson
appears to have had less confidence in the
multitubular boiler than Mr. Allen, and there-
fore built the boiler with two flues instead of
numerous tubes. The following is a verbatim
copy of the description:
No. 12, Allen's engine constructed in 1828 :
Boiler 4 ft. i in. X 9 ft. 6 in.
Fireplace 4 X 3
Cylinders 9 in. X 2 ft. o in.
Chimney i ft. 8 in.
Pumps I J^ in. X 2 ft. o in.
Wheels Wood.
Diameter. * 48 in.
Number 4
Angle of cylinders from the horizontal 33"*
Size of tubes i ft. 7 in.
Number 2
Stnught.
This was the twelfth engine built by Ste-
phenson. The nineteenth was " the Rocket,"
Liverpool prize engine, constructed 18-29.
The seventeenth was constructed for Major
Whistler, and was somewhat similar to Horatio
Allen's engine, but had six wheels and a return
flue.
The " Rocket ** is described as follows in the
old " Description Book " referred to before :
Boiler 3 ft. 4 in. X 6 ft. o in.
Fireplace 2 ft. 7 in. X 2 ft. o in.
Cylinder 8X i?
Chimney i ft. 2 in
Pump iK X 17
Wheels, two 4 ft. 8 in.
Wheels, two 2 ft. 6 in.
Angle of cylinders from the horizontal 35*
Weight without water 3 tons 9 cwt.
Weight of water 13 cwt.
Tubes copper.
Size of fire tubes 3 in.
Number 25
Circumference 9*424
Area 7.068 sq. in.
Distance, centre to centre 4^ |n.
Cylinders, centre to centre 5 ft* 9 |n.
Wheels, centre to centre 7 f t. 2 iiL
Depth outside from bottom of boiler to bottom of
fire-box i ft. 3 i^**
Super area tubes 13 sq. ft.
Axles, diameter to middle 3^ li^-
Single slide valve.
Observations.
Outside horizontal cylinders.
The " Rocket/' therefore, in spite of Mr.
Horatio Allen, appears to have been the first
multitubular locomotive. Mr. Allen's pos-
sibly was the first in which two large straight
flues were used instead of a single or a return
flue.
A memorandum dated July 23, 1828, made
apparently by Mr. Allen, evidently refers to
the sharpest curve on the line on which his
engine was to travel : "Sharpest curve on
main line side to chord is 1:60. "f The chord
was presumably the wheel-base of the engine,
but the whole entry appears somewhat vague,
and only shows that the question of passing
round a curve had been considered.
The old drawings show that several points
about locomotive practice are of older date
than is generally imagined. The following
shows the earliest dates at which the severed
devices named appear in the drawings :
Driving axle-box wedges about 1831
Cylinders inside, centre line being bel#w front
axle 1831
Circular side valves 1832
Deflectors in front of tubes . . '
Cork placed in bottom of ex- f • «ir^ i« ^.t. »» .o«.
haust pipe to diminish vio- P"8>ne "Gohath, 1835
lence of exhaust
First link motion 1842
Four-cylinder engine, similar to Shaw's and
Haswell's 1848
— -^. R. GcMUe.
* This is equal to a 7 deg. 38 min. curve.
132
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
GEORGE STEPHENSON.
The " Father of Railways " he is called, and
although a merited and justly applied title, we
do not at first appreciate the rare honor con-
veyed thereby. The railway is the most won-
derful link in the history of civilization, and
through it was introduced the present Age of
Steel. He, therefore, to whom the railway
owes its existence, is one whose name should
be held in the highest honor by all of us who
are now profited by the results of his labors.
George Stephenson rose to his position by his
own resolute efforts, which conquered all dif-
ficulties and prejudices. He was born in
Wylam, a colliery village, near Newcastle,
England, June 9, 1781. His father was em-
ployed as fireman of the pumping engine used
at the Wylam colliery. Earning but twelve
shillings a week, he was too poor to send his
children to school, and so the boy, at the age
of eight, was put to work herding cows, re-
ceiving two pence a day. He amused himself
here, on the banks of a brook running through
the field, making miniature clay mills and en-
gines, with stems of hemlock for imaginary
steam pipes.
He was not content, however, to continue
where he could learn so little, he wanted to
be working with men at the colliery, and so
found employment as driver of the "gin"
horse at the pit. When fourteen years old he
obtained a position as assistant fireman under
his father, at a shilling a day, and at seventeen
he was promoted ahead of his father, to be
engineman of the pumps at the mine. His
perceptive faculties were keen and active, and
desiring to know everything about his engine,
he often took it to pieces to clean and exam-
ine, until he had it in perfect order and un-
derstood its action thoroughly. He could not
at this time read, and hearing so much about
the engines of Watt and Boulton, he wished to
know all about them, and so made up his mind
to learn to read. He took lessons in reading
and spelling at a night school, and soon after-
ward commenced arithmetic. His progress in
study was wonderful, because his earnestness
was intense, and he spent all his spare time in
the engine house "summing." At twenty
years of age he was earning twenty shillings a
week, to which he added, by shoemaking and
by mending clocks and watches for the neigh-
bors. His study of engine machinery enabled
him to remedy the defects in the pumping en-
gines and winding machinery in the neighbor-
hood, so that he came to be called "engine
doctor."
In 1802 he was married, and took a small
cottage with a bit of ground attached. Here
his famous son Robert was bom. The father,
knowing how deficient his own education had
been, determined that his son should not labor
under the same disadvantage, and so sent him
at the age of twelve to school. Robert was
fond of reading all the scientific information
he could get, and in the evenine he would
give to his father the results of his reading.
As long as his father lived, this co* operation
in study and work continued.
Up to this time several locomotives had
been made for hauling coal, but in every case
had failed to prove themselves equal even
to horses. George Stephenson desired to do
for the locomotive what Watt had done for
the steam engine — to produce an efficient and
economical machine. To do this he studied
all the existing forms of locomotives, with a
view to discover the causes of their failure and
to remedy the defects. In 181 5 he brought
out a locomotive in which the connecting
rods were joined directly to the cranks of the
driving wheels without the intervention of
gearing, and the wheels were provided with
smooth tires. He had observed the greater
velocity with which the waste steam escaped
from the cylinders of engines as compa^red
with that of the smoke from the chimney, and
therefore in this locomotive he conveyed the
exhaust steam into the smokestack, producing
a draft through the fire. This last improve-
ment decided his success, and from this time,
1822, dates the history of the locomotive
proper. This engine, with four others, ran
successfully, each hauling sixty-four tons of
coal at the speed of four miles an hour.
Not long after the Stockton and Darlington
Railway was begun, George Stephenson being
appointed engineer of the line. By long per-
suasion he was able to convince the railway
company of the practicability of steam loco-
motion, and a manufactory was established at
Newcastle for the purpose of making locomo-
tives. Here he built a locomotive with which
to operate the line. As the time drew near
for the completion of the work, Stephenson
said to his son : " I venture to tell you that I
think you will live to see the day when rail-
ways will supercede almost all other methods
of conveyance, when mail coaches will go by
railway, and the railroads will become the
great highways. The time is coming when it
will be cheaper for a working man to travel on
a railway than to walk on foot. I know that
there are great and almost insurmountable
difficulties to be encountered, but what I have
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
m
t, were brought against him, but to use
wn words : I put up with every rebuff,
said will come to pass as sure as you now hear
me. I only wish I may live to see the day,
though that I can hardly hope for, as I know
how slow all human progress is, and with what
diflficulty I have been able to get the locomo-
tive introduced thus far, notwithstanding my
ten years successful experiment." The rail-
way was opened in 1825, George Stephenson
himself running the first engine. Locomotion,"
which attained a speed of twelve miles an
hour with a load of about ninety tons.
The Liverpool and Manchester Railway
was then projected. The work of laying out
the line was given to Stephenson, who met
with opposition in every way. Threats of
violence from the common people, legal hos-
tility, ridicule and personal insults in the
court,
his own
and went on with my plans, determined not
to be put down."
The road completed, the question was how
it should be worked — whether by horses, sta-
tionary engines, or locomotives. Stephenson
stood almost alone in favor of the last against
nearly every professional man of eminence.
Nevertheless he persevered, and finally, under
his persistent assurances that locomotives
would do more than the requirements of the
road demanded, it was decided to adopt them,
provided certain conditions were fulfilled in a
trial at a fixed date. George and Robert
Stephenson, at their works in Newcastle, built
for this trial the celebrated " Rocket," The
trial took place in October, 1829, three other
engines being entered, but these three failed
utterly, while the " Rocket " even exceeded
the requirements for speed. This at once
secured the triumph of the railway system. In
1830 the road was opened with a new locomo-
tive " Rocket," running at the rate of twenty
and thirty miles an hour.
The firm of Stephenson & Son was now
famous. Railroads were being started, and
orders came from all sides for locomotives.
The " John Bull," brought to this country for
the Camden and Amboy Railroad, was built
by them in 1831. They were busy men, and
were rapidly accumulating wealth. A. large
brick mansion, surrounded with woodland and
pleasure grounds, was chosen for their resi-
dence, and at the age of sixty George Ste-
phenson retired from business, leaving his son
Robert in full career as a railway engineer.
He died August 12, 1848, in the sixty-seventh
year of his age.
Both the Stephensons, father and son.
were remarkable men — ^men whom this age
delights to honor. Well may they have re-
fused the honors of knighthood, which were
tendered to each of them, for they themselves
were royal powers upon earth, conferring
knighthood and dignity upon all human
labor." Albitan.
SLIGHTLY MISTAKEN.
**0 woman, in our hours of ease,
Uncertain, coy and hard to please '* —
The Junior with a smile the book away
From him did cast, as idly still he lay
Upon a bank beneath the proud pine trees
Which seemed to whisper with the passing breeze.
While all around him peaceful, calm there lay,
All faint in the soft haze of summer day
The fair green fields and cool and spicy grove.
Where he with fellow students loved to rove,
Oft as beneath the stars his way he took.
Free from his college duties and his book.
With that soft, loving pressure on his arm
Of her, whose presence lent a heightened charm,
To all that lovely scene and starlit night,
For May doth give us mortals her moonlight
For love, as old Dan Chaucer sin^s arie;ht.
From off the campus came to him the call
Of classmates at their tennis and their ball.
While far beyond them all he could survey
Where Mohawk's silver in the distance lay.
Off to the left their rugged heads upraise
The Helderbergs, all wavy in the heat, ,
Whose utmost tops the fleecy clouds did graze
As though they loved their craggy mountain seat.
While thus he lay, his musing from bim broke
And thus communing with himself he spoke —
" * O woman, in our hours of ease,
Uncertain, coy and hard to please ' —
I have not found her so ; she seemed to yield
The moment that I came upon the field.
Her brown eyes seemed to brighten when I came,
Her smile to others never seemed the same.
She is completely gone without a doubt
But surely I must for myself look out,
I wish to leave no college widow here ;
And then — for that — she's much too sweet and dear."
As thus he mused his reverie was broken ;
He raised his head to hear a sentence spoken
In a familiar voice and — " Hateful sight !
It cannot be. My eyes don't see aright.
'Tis she ; But who is he that by her side^
With stately air and Senior's stride
Doth stalk ? And what doth glisten on her breast ?
Ye gods ! His pin, or else may I be — blest.
While she attentive, with that self-same smile
Doth listen to his senseless talk and praise
Of Union. Ever and anon, the while,
Those dark brown eyes so shyly bright she'll raise
Whose beauty would an anchorite beguile
To sing the lovely languor in their gaze.
l'envoi.
" All that glitters is not gold,"
And sometimes e'en a Junior's sold.— Ex.
134
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
PUBLISHED ON THB
15th OF EACH MONTH. DURIN6 THE C0LLE6E YEAR,
BY THB
INDICATOR PUBLISHING COMPANY,
^teVen^ In^tifeote of Tecpolog}.
— w* KDIVOIIA.'K—
CARTER H. PA(;E,Jr„ '87. £diior-tn-<kiif.
A. A. FULLER, '88. Business Managtr,
JOHN V. L. PIERSON, '88, Exckmnge Editsr.
BURTON P. HALL, '88.
HUBERT S. WVNKOOP, '88.
WHXIAM W. SCHENCK. '88.
THOS. A. VAN DER WILLIGEN. *88
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The writer* s full name^ as well as his NOM DE PLUME,
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and reliability ; but it will not be published^ unless desired.
Exchanges^ contributions, subscriptions, advertisements
and all other communications hy mail, should be addressed
tolwiL Stevens Indicator, Stevens Institute, Hoboken,
N.J,
Letters for publication should be written legibly in ink,
upon one side of the paper ; unless too long, they 7vill be
inserted as written.
The editors do not hold themselves responsible for opin-
ions expressed in literary articles or communications.
INASMUCH as this is the last issue of the
Indicator under the present manage-
ment, some of the members of the company
have considered it of small importance that
they should fail to contribute acceptable arti-
cles, or even anything at all, giving as ex-
cuses the same old chestnut, " haven't had
time." They have certainly more time than
those who have to undertake a double share
of this work, and are only taking advantage of
the present condition of afiFairs to shirk their
work, with as much to say, " What are you
going to do about it, anyhow ! "
^yPE have received a contribution entitled,
W "The Marking System;" a subject
which has been " aired " rather too extensively
to deserve publication in the columns of the
Indicator. In it the author condemns the
marking system of our college in no small de-
gree, claiming that many men are deterred
from asking questions on points concermng
which they are very doubtful, for fear of be-
traying their ignorance on such, and con-
sequently being marked low for it
Mr. B is evidently one of those fellows
who would like to ask a question now and
then, but does not for fear of the above re-
sult; his apparent opinion of himself is, that
his general standing in college is too low to
permit him to run the risk of getting these
law marks without exposing himself to the
danger of a " side door graduation." But he
does himself an injustice, for a low mark on
such a point in an examination would count
against one far more than if the matter was
made clear during the term, even though a
zero was all the credit he got for showing a
desire to learn. Mr. B advocates abolish-
ing the term mark, and depending on the
examination alone to decide whether or no a
man is to be passed or conditioned. This
would result in putting a premium on cutting re-
citations and lectures, as if true marks are not
to be included in a man's standing. Mr. —
should have been explicit in the exclusion of
the " second head " of the panorama style.
We can, however, state that if a man who enters
Stevens with the intention of learning all he
can, is desirous of being informed on any
point, he will not be restrained from asking
about it for fear of a low mark in conse-
quence.
a FEW lines in regard to lathe exercise,
appearing in the Stuffing Box of our
October issue, has been noticed by other
papers to the extent of reprinting the same.
It is a well known fact that the students of
every college always find some subject about
which to make fun or else to '* kick against.'
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
135
often than not these troubles are more
lalf fancied, or better, the student is not
;e as he thinks he is, and his fun making
shows that he fails to take into con-
tion all the facts of the case. All pub-
urnals should therefore exercise great
and acquaint themselves thoroughly
le facts before publishing anything from
dergraduate papers of our colleges which
seem to reflect upon their good standing
nagement.
J intended hit upon lathe exercise is a
example of the above mentioned fact.
; first place the price charged for cast
ses is referred to. If one takes into
leration the price of small castings from
undry, the expenses of carting, sorting,
ig out and keeping account of the same,
1 at once see that the prices are nothing
than fair. In the next place, it is the
It's own fault if he leaves his completed
ses lying around to be used by some one
He has bought his material, and can
preserve his completed exercises or sell
to another student or for old iron. The
f the case is, that the students are at
' to purchase their material anywhere
vish. Mr. Hawkridge provides for us,
jping in stock constantly, at fair prices,
t the time and place we want them,
various exercises. In fact, the accom
ion is so apparent that a student never
of purchasing elsewhere. We hope, if
rong impressions have been made, that
:tle explanation will set things straight
production of copper throughout the
last year, is estimated at 221,715 tons, as
red with a corresponding production of
3 in 1884, and 153,057 in 1880. The
copper producing countries last year
Australia, 11,400 tons; Chili, 38,800;
ny, 15,250; Japan, 2,000; Spain and
;al, 45j949; and the United States, 74,-
Electrical Review.
The Elasticity of Metals. — M. Tresca
lately published in the Comptes Rendus the
results of observations made as to the effect
of hammering, and the variation of limits of
elasticity as regards metals and other sub-
stances used for technical purposes. Hith-
erto it has been usual, in considering the de-
formation of solid bodies under the influence
of extensile forces, to recognize only two
definite periods, dependent upon the mechan-
ical properties of the substances in question.
These periods are the limit of elasticity, and
the point of laceration. M. Tresca has found
it necessary at the end of the period where
the change of elasticity commences, to recog-
nize a third stage, which may be described as
a period of fluidity and which corresponds
with the possibility of a continuous deforma-
tion under the constant effect of the same
tension. This peculiar condition may be re-
garded as a characteristic of substances of a
very extensible or plastic nature, as its absence
is noticed in materials that are brittle and
which are fractured without previous defor-
mation. It is already known that the period
of alteration of elasticity is much shorter in
hard or hardened steel than in iron. M.
Tresca protests against the expressing of the
prolongation of metal bars produced by bur-
dens in the form of a percentage of their
length.. Such prolongations are, he urges, al-
ways specially local, and consequently the
same in long and short bars, being limited by
the proximity of the point of fracture. The
indication of elasticity should, therefore, rather
be sought in the diminution of the section of
the bars at the point of fracture. This portion
of a lacerated bar is further remarkable for
the loss of the original state of its material
composition. At the point of fracture the
substance has become remarkably condensed,
and has almost entirely lost its toughness.
The final fracture, therefore, takes place in a
brittle zone of the metal, and the same con-
dition can be produced by hammering. If a
test bar, which has been extended almost to
the point of fracture, be thoroughly heated, it
can be still further extended before it breaks,
and it is really a fact that by alternate stretch-
ing and heating, such a bar may be extremely
changed in its proportions, as is, for instance,
the case in wire drawing. — Industries,
The Electric Review explains the new
method of protecting iron, which has been
brought out by M. Ade Meritens. The article
■36
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
to be protected is placed ia a bath of distilled
water at a temperature of from 15S to 176
degs. Fahr., and an electric current is sent
through. The water is (decomposed into its
elements, the oxygen being deposited on the
metal, while the hydrogen appears at the other
pole. The current has only sufficient electro-
motive force to overcome the resistance of the
circuit and to decompose the water ; the
oxide, formed under such conditions, is the
magnetic oxide which resists the action of the
air and protects the metal beneath it. After
the action has continued an hour or two the
coating is sufficiently solid to resist the scratch
brush, and it will then take a brilliant polish.
In order to obtain a coating on articles of
wrought and cast iron, the order of operations
has to be reversed. The iron is placed at the
negative pole of the apparatus after it had
been already applied at the positive pole.
Here the oxide ii reduced, and hydrogen is
accumulated in the pores of the metal. The
specimens are then turned to the anode and
their solid coatings treated in the same way as
those of the steel articles.
PBRsefifiiis.
Under the neio managemenl The Indicator
hofies to make the personal department very in-
teresting. To attain this end the hearty co-op-
eration of the alumni and students is necessary
It is therefore requested that all items of inter-
est relating to past and present students be sent
to the Personal Editor.
A. P. Trautwein "76 and A. Spies '81, have
been elected Alumni Editors on The Indi-
cator.
Durand Woodman has left the United
States Electric Light Co., and has opened an
ofhce as analytical chernist.
H. A. Hickok has left the Wallis Iron
Works to accept a more lucrative position.
His present address is unknown to us,
■84.
D. H. Maury accompanies his father, U. S.
Minister to United States of Columbia, to
that couQtiy, where he will receive orders for
American machinery.
Where is the football team ? Did Steveai
put a team in the field this season ? were the
questions with which several individuals were
plied after the return game with Lafayette? .
In reply, it may be said that Stevens had a
team in the field, but met with defeat on all
sides. Such a score has not been made since
the existence of the Indicator, at any rate.
In some cases the team did excellent work,
as, for instance, in the Princeton games ; but,
on the other hand, the general playing was
characterized by such blunders that the total
points scored in eight match games was jfer
against 390 ! Lafayette, however, is <ml]r
turning the tables on us ; for two years ago
the score was 58 to o in favor of Stevens.
One thing, however, is entirely inexcusable,
and that is the failure to play the match
arranged with the University of Pennsylvania.
It is the first time that such has occurred ;
let us hope it is the last.
Everybody at Stevens knows the reputation
Rutgers has as regards arranging dates for
football matches — not an enviable one, cer-
tainly. Will not U. of Pa. regard Stevens in
the same light?
The football season is generally considered
to end with the games on Thanksgiving Day,
and on that account considerable blame should
be attached to the board of directors of tlw
Athletic Association for fixing such a date for
this match with Pennsylvania, knowing as thej
ought to how extremely difficult it frequently
is to get a team together on ordinary occaaoni
to play a match out of Hoboken, much lessoD
the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
"I see the scoundrel in your face," ei-
claimed the judge to the prisoner, "i reck-
on, jedge," was the response, " that that 'ere's
a persona] reflection, ain't it?" — Student Uft-
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
■37
ig, going, ^one ! What ? Why, the 1n-
)R Publishing Company.
gives us one more variation to the much
1 " Gray's Elegy." Thanks !
. W. (addressing student at the board):
: is this at the board ? " Student feels
nd class indulge in uproarious laughter.
demoralization of the foot ball team
unfortunate as it was complete, Stcv-
nly scored 6 points against 316.
M I
:y College, Cornell University, is now
pular resort for unfortunate Stevens
|uite a colony having taken up their
there during the past six months.
lenborn, '87, has been compelled to
lollege on account of trouble with his
hich it is feared will, become serious.
st he will be with us again next term,
following men have been selected by
tiring Board of Editors of the Indica-
icoiistitute the undergraduate members
new board: Kiernan, '87; Wynkoop,
ickson, '89 and Lawrence, '90.
illness of Prof. Mayer has been more
than was at first supposed. He has
jffering from an attack of typhoid fever,
now slowly regaining his strength, and
rnestly hoped that his recovery will be
iy one.
ou want to see a perfect " jam," just
look into the Chemical Laboratory on
lys or Fridays and see the Seniors at
Why the place is full to overflowing
2niors. It is surprising how so many
irk there together, is it not?
simply delightful to see how much the
s man in '87 knows about German.
her day, an "87 man was heard to accost
)cent son of Germany with the expres-
ipeaken sie English." The " innocent
ailed to connect. No wonder.
A short time since, a Junior before explain-
ing some work at the board, announced that
he was going to give a modification of " the
other valve," there being about six hundred
valves, more or less, to select from. The
Juniors have always been noted for their
lucidity anyway.
We have heard of " egg plant," " pie plant,"
and several other kinds of plants, but we never
heard of a "lager beer plant " until the other
day, when a senior took us aside and told us
in the strictest confidence that a brewery is a
" lager beer plant," Two of the board con-
tracted brain fever on the spot.
The other day, a very small " Prep," was
heard warbling the following through the halls
of the Institute :
The curfew tolls the knell of parting day.
The lowing herd winds slowly o'er the lea.
And from the field the ploughman sneaks away,
To get a drink al the brewery.
If after the appearance of this issue, there
is seen on the campus half a dozen individuals
turning hand springs and giving evidence of
great and unbounded joy, you may know that
they are the members of the Editoral Board of
the Indicator, who having completed this,
their last issue, are made temporarily insane
by the tremendous strain being thus suddenly
removed from their minds.
When the Indicator publication was dis-
solved it consisted of the following :
Carter H Page, Jr., '87, President ; Thor-
burn Reid, '88, Vice-President ; Hubert S.
Wynkoop, '88, Secretary ; Arthur H. Fuller,
'88. Treasurer; Franklin Moeller, '87; Burton
P. Hall. '88; John V. L. Pierson, '88; Robert
G. Smith, '88; William W. Schenck, '88; Thos.
A. Van der Willigen, '88 ; George B, Mul-
daur, '89.
Prof. Albert R, Leeds, who has recently re-
turned from an inspection of the great public
water works of England and Scotland, read a
paper on " The Purification of Water Supplies "
before the New York Academy of Sciences, in
Hamilton Hall, Columbia College, two weeks
ago. Prof. Leeds said he favored aeration as
the most feasible method, with filtration, when
a proper means should be found.
The Senior class has been actively engaged
for some time past in discussing commence-
ment exercises. For that purpose the follow-
138
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
ing have been appointed to constitute the class
day committee : Page, Flack and Anderson.
Commencement committee : Moeller, Hart,
Firestone, Quimby and Serrell. It was also
decided to have a nominating committee, for
the purpose of choosing the orators. Nomi-
nating committee : McElroy, Beard and
Quimby.
It pleaseth the hearts of the staid Seniors
and the worthy Juniors to observe the Fresh-
men toil in the shop. The avidity with which
they toil is likened greatly to the avidity with
which the Juniors do anything else but toil.
Fret not thyself because of these things how-
ever. The Freshman is young and tender ; he
waxeth old, he waxeth also wise, and soon will
he see the folly of his ways. And when it
comes to pass thus, he will cut " every other
day and tarry long on one exercise.
The class of '90 appears to have a very en-
joyable time on the whole, judging from the
sounds of revelry that issue from its class
room at all hours of the day. 'J'he musical ele-
ment seems to predominate among its mem-
bers and they are evidently not of the kind
who are at all backward about using the tal-
ents which they possess. It is a fortunate cir-
cumstance that such is the case, as the musical
clubs which have previously existed in the In-
stitute, are rapidly becoming lifeless. It is
hoped that '90 will infuse new life into these
warring organizations, and give them the promi-
nence which they deserve.
,ki,||l-*:il«-J- -U..i...
K<.')a^f</
The Princetonians advertisement column
of " Lost and Found " seems to be well patron-
ized.
**The President of the Sophomore Class
has given $500 to the gymnasium fund.**
Phew ! Our Sophomore President didn*t pay
as much as that for his election.
The Lippincott Publishing Company is of-
fering prizes for articles on social lift at Vas-
sar, Yale and other prominent colleges. If
we were one of the aforementioned prominent
colleges, how our famous class- room riots
would amuse the outside world !
The Pleid contains an account of the ad-
vantages offered by the Biological Laboratory
at Annisquam, Mass. This is replete with
such beautiful Latin names as Lopothum
Fdbriciiy LunoHa heros and Holothumdea,
Of course we all hold their aidea. Don't offer
such provocation again, please.
Lafayette exchanges are very personal. "In
our intercourse with old and new friebdsi
perhaps it would be well to
' Be to their faults a little blind.
And to their wishes very kind,' "
as Sybil well reminds us.
The Vassar Miscellany contains a five-page
review of the " Strange Case of Dr. Jeckyll
and Mr. Hyde ;" also an essay on " The
Mission of Wagner," in which occun the
word Gotterdammerung. Oh, girls ! But per-
haps this has some connection with several
other expressions which only a musician can-
be expected to understand.
Madisonensisy in an article on the poetry of
Benjamin F. Taylor, class of '38, states that
Mr. Taylor is a poetic Burroughs. We clip
a few hnes from *' How the Brook Went to
the Mill " :
A nameless rill * • • • •
^ * crept away in the tangled gimss
With a voiceless flow and a wandenng wilt,
The Wish-ton-wish of a silken dress,
The murmured tone of a maiden's " Yes !*'
♦ ♦ etc.
In the Mechanical Engitieer we notice an
appeal, by William E. Kent, M. E., for the
formation of a new engineering society to be
formed of " Men Who Have Done Some-
thing." A bright idea. We see that an at-
tempt is also being made to form a " Society
of Stationary Engineers." A paper read two
months ago in England on " Triple Expan-
sion Marine Engines," is an interesting article
at the present time. Through the columns of
the Engineer^ a gentleman connected with the
wrecking company which was engaged on the
Oregon wreck says : " It doesn't take much
of a storm to make itself felt sixty feet down,
where the Oregon lay, as our divers were fully
satisfied."
The College Mercury always contains *
great amount of college news. We suppose
you are in some way excusable for admitting
an article on the " Marking System," but the
subject is a terrible "chestnut."
THE MECHANICAL ENGINEER.
Words by W. F.
Music by £. S.
1. A frol - ic - some life, with-out care or strife,
2. The ham-mer he swings till the an - vil rings,
3. He breaks ev - ery rule, and breaks ev - ery tool.
The A - mer - i - can stud - ents
And swings his girl in the
And oft his prom - ise
i
n-m^m
^
m
m
mf tempo legcUo,
I
3f
i
i
ife
3?
^
^
5^
lead;
dance ;
breaks ;
Though the purse be slim, and the gov-em - or grim, Still neir-er they stand in
The i - Ton he rolls and casts it in moulds. And oft casts an am - o - rous
He breaks ma - ny hearts, when - e'er he de - parts. And his ten - der friends for
ritard.
^
iN=fi^
^— W:
r*'
/^
fcj^„j/j ^^^^
need. With ev - ery-one's trust they go on a "bust." I f an - cy the mat- ter clear —
glance. With won-der - ful zeal he tests a • ny steel. And tests the love of his dear —
sakes. He turns ev - ery brass, and mind of each lass, I fan - cy the mat - ter clear —
THE HKCaANICAL KNGINEEK.
^^m^
THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
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THE STEVENS INDICATOR.
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EEL PENS.
^^^^.
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